Rose Island in

Lake Starnberg Lake Starnberg, or ''Starnberger See'' ) — called Lake Würm, or ''Würmsee'' , until 1962 — is Germany's second-largest body of fresh water, having great depth, and fifth-largest lake by area. It and its surroundings lie in three different Ba ...

is the only island in the lake and site of a royal villa of King

Ludwig II of Bavaria Ludwig II (Ludwig Otto Friedrich Wilhelm; 25 August 1845 – 13 June 1886) was King of Bavaria from 1864 until his death in 1886. He is sometimes called the Swan King or ('the Fairy Tale King'). He also held the titles of Count Palatine of the ...

which had been commissioned by his father. He was particularly attached to this place and made frequent renovations and remodelings of the small garden and the villa, which is called ''casino''. Guests on the island were the composer Richard Wagner, his close friend

Prince Paul of Thurn and Taxis , caption = Created Herr von Fels by King Ludwig II on 19 June 1868 , image = Paul von Thurn und Taxis 24 Jan 1864.jpg , spouse = , issue = Heinrich von Fels (1867–1955) , house =Thurn and Taxis , father ...

Empress Elisabeth of Austria Duchess Elisabeth Amalie Eugenie in Bavaria (24 December 1837 – 10 September 1898) was Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary from her marriage to Emperor Franz Joseph I on 24 April 1854 until her assassination in 1898. Elisabeth was ...

and Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna of Russia. The villa is today a small museum, open to the general public and is accessible by a small ferry ride. It was declared part of the

UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. It ...

World Heritage A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for ...

list in 2011 as one of the 111 locations under the

Prehistoric pile dwellings around the Alps Prehistoric pile dwellings around the Alps are a series of prehistoric pile dwelling (or stilt house) settlements in and around the Alps built from about 5000 to 500 BC on the edges of lakes, rivers or wetlands. In 2011, 111 sites located variousl ...

listing.

References

External links

Bavarian Palace Department , Rose Island
Museums in Bavaria Castles in Bavaria Royal residences in Bavaria Gardens in Bavaria Historic house museums in Germany Lake islands of Germany Starnberg (district) {{Bavaria-struct-stub