King Ludwig II of Bavaria the Builder | Neuschwanstein Castle

and Neuschwanstein, all commissioned by Ludwig II of Bavaria. But in fact, his legacy comprised much more than these fairytale residences. For example, he introduced educational reform and commissioned the building of the Munich Academy of Fine Arts and the original building of the new Polytechnic School, which later became Munich's Technical University, one of the most prestigious universities in Europe. Whole new districts emerged in Munich during his reign. The city became increasingly attractive. The exhibition at the Architecture Museum in the Pinakothek der Moderne shows a different side of the legendary king and takes the focus away from his famous palaces. Ludwig wasn't just the fairytale king. He also massively improved infrastructure in Bavaria. He extended the railway network, and he also introduced a sewerage system in Munich and other Bavarian cities. Some 500 exhibits show that the king promoted trade and industry with new breweries and abattoirs, for example. Some of the buildings he commissioned have survived to this day. New museums, concert halls and theaters were also built during his reign. A great fan of Wagner, he originally commissioned the building of the Richard Wagner Festival Theater on the banks of the river Isar. But later, Richard Wagner went to Bayreuth, and a theater was built there instead.