Overview: Myths and legends surround the figure of Ludwig II of Bavaria (1845-1886), known as the "fairytale king. He shunned politics and devoted himself above all to his rapturous passions: the operas of Richard Wagner and the construction of magnificent castles such as Neuschwanstein, Linderhof and Herrenchiemsee. However, Ludwig was by no means just a dreamy dreamer, but pursued clear political goals: he believed in the "Third Germany," in an independent power alongside Prussia and Austria. In the mid-19th century, the federal confederation of small and medium-sized German states was a counter-model to a federal state under Prussian leadership. The vision failed because of the political genius of Otto von Bismarck and the military strength of the Hohenzollern state.