The Royal Influence on Bavarian Knife Making
King Ludwig II ascended the throne at the young age of 18 and, two years later, found himself in a war alongside Austria against Prussia—a battle he ultimately lost. Determined never to face such defeat again, King Ludwig II became passionate about commissioning the best-quality swords and knives, enlisting the finest local bladesmiths to craft superior weapons. This moment in history marked the beginning of Bavaria’s legendary knife-making tradition, setting a standard of excellence that still endures today.
While his kingdom faced turmoil, King Ludwig II found solace in his passion for architecture and craftsmanship. He built seven magnificent castles, the most famous being Schloss Neuschwanstein, or New Swanstone Castle. This fairytale-like fortress, perched on a mountaintop near Füssen, was his dream from childhood. It is widely believed that Disney Imagineers drew inspiration from Swanstone Castle when designing the iconic Disney castle. Today, Neuschwanstein attracts over 6,000 visitors daily, making it one of the world’s most recognized castles.