Linderhof Palace

Description

Laser-Cut Kit – Linderhof Palace

Linderhof Palace, the smallest of the three palaces built by Ludwig II of Bavaria, was constructed between 1869/1870 and 1886 in the municipality of Ettal, in the Ammergau Alps. It is considered the favourite palace of the “Fairytale King” and was the only one of his palaces to be fully completed during his lifetime.

Immerse yourself in this enchanting world of kings and empresses. Create your own perfect world and escape from the dullness of everyday life by exploring this model, just as Ludwig II of Bavaria himself once sought to escape from reality.

The History of Linderhof Palace

Linderhof Palace was built on the site of a simple hunting lodge belonging to Ludwig II’s father, Maximilian II of Bavaria.

Through its architecture and interior design, Linderhof reflects Ludwig II’s admiration for French absolutism and, in particular, for Louis XIV. The buildings and interiors were designed in the Neo-Rococo style and depict scenes from life at the court of Versailles.

The palace park surrounding the building, combining a formal Baroque garden with an English landscape garden, was laid out between 1874 and 1880.

From the mid-1870s onward, Ludwig II spent the winter months at Linderhof. It was from here that he embarked on his famous nighttime sleigh rides. He also returned to Linderhof during the summer to set off on mountain excursions.

During this period, Ludwig II continued to carry out his governmental duties conscientiously, while creating for himself, especially at Linderhof Palace, a private retreat where he could feel like an absolute monarch. This alternative world became a refuge from parliamentarianism and the industrialisation of the “founding era”. In the later years of Ludwig II’s life, Linderhof also reflected his increasing detachment from reality.

After Ludwig II’s death in 1886, the palace was opened to the public. Today, it attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. It remains an exceptional testament to Ludwig II’s eccentric personality and his romantic vision of royalty and power.

Exterior Architecture and Statues

Linderhof Palace combines elements inspired by 18th-century French pleasure palaces with Bavarian Rococo motifs. The Château de Marly in France and certain elements of Nymphenburg Palace, particularly the Amalienburg, are considered important sources of inspiration.

Despite these influences, or perhaps because of them, Linderhof is a unique building in its overall design. Remarkably, the palace was constructed mainly from wood and then covered with plaster, using local resources and labour.

The façades are richly decorated with limestone and cast-zinc statues. The main pediment displays the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Bavaria, flanked by two figures of Fama holding trumpets, as well as personifications of agriculture, trade, science and industry.

An Atlas statue carrying a globe decorated with the twelve signs of the zodiac crowns the pediment. As a whole, this sculptural programme celebrates the glory of Bavaria, its social estates, virtues and achievements in science, business and the arts.

To reproduce this exceptional feature on the model, every statue was individually modelled in three dimensions. The parts are 3D-printed and pre-primed in a colour matching the façade.

No two statues are exactly alike. Even the four atlantes positioned above the main entrance, which appear identical at first glance, reveal subtle differences on closer inspection, for example in the position of their arms or the tilt of their heads.

2025 – A Special Year for Linderhof Palace!

Linderhof Palace is one of the most magnificent buildings ever created by King Ludwig II of Bavaria. With its remarkable architecture, richly decorated interiors and impressive gardens, it has fascinated visitors from all over the world for generations.

The uniqueness of this place, its historical importance and its cultural value have never been in doubt. In 2025, this recognition was finally made official.

Update – July 12, 2025:

Congratulations! It is official: Linderhof Palace has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List!

A truly well-deserved place on the world heritage stage, which we celebrate with great joy and pride.

The Figure Set

The kit includes an exclusive figure set consisting of King Ludwig II of Bavaria, Empress Elisabeth “Sisi”, two horses, a young boy, Richard Wagner and two swan statues.

It is said that King Ludwig II and “Sisi” shared a very close friendship. Sisi was Ludwig II’s aunt and was eight years older than him, although Ludwig II referred to her as his “cousin”.

They shared similar personality traits and interests. Both greatly enjoyed horse riding and probably rode together on several occasions. They were also united by their passion for art. In particular, both deeply admired Richard Wagner.

In 1864, Ludwig II invited Richard Wagner, who was heavily in debt at the time, to his court. He paid off Wagner’s debts and supported him financially.

Wagner’s operas such as Tannhäuser, Lohengrin, Tristan und Isolde and Rheingold draw on mythical legends, including the medieval legend of the Holy Grail and the Ring of the Nibelungs. Ludwig II immersed himself deeply in these mythical worlds and sought to escape from reality through them.

Ludwig II himself liked to identify with the Swan Knight from Lohengrin. As the swan was the heraldic animal of his ancestors, the Counts of Schwangau, and also inspired the name of Neuschwanstein Castle, the swan became one of Ludwig II’s defining symbols.

Ludwig II also had a Venus Grotto built at Linderhof, where swans were brought so that he could feed them. Swan statues and representations also decorated several of the king’s residences.

The two miniature swan statues included in the kit can, for example, be placed in front of the entrance to Linderhof Palace.

All figures in the set are 3D colour-printed and feature a very high level of detail.

The Linderhof Palace Laser-Cut Kit in 1:87 Scale – H0

The NOCH development team spent more than a year designing the Linderhof Palace Laser-Cut Kit.

It consists of 1,007 laser-cut parts. These components are made from special laser-cut cardboard, with some parts also featuring engraved details.

The kit is complemented by 113 individually modelled 3D-printed parts, representing statues, ornaments and decorative elements. The model therefore reproduces the original building with exceptional accuracy.

The set also includes the exclusive eight-piece figure set, featuring King Ludwig II of Bavaria, Empress Elisabeth “Sisi”, Richard Wagner, two horses, a young boy and two swan statues.

A special Laser-Cut adhesive and detailed assembly instructions are included with the model kit.