THE THROT\L - HA LL

The -hall is a representation-room in Byzantine style and gives the impression of a sanctuary (designed: E. Ille and J. Hofmann). Stairs of Carrara marble lead up to the apse, where a throne of gold and ivory should have found its place. But this project n ever was realised, because after the King's death all work not yet begun was cancelled. The paintings (by W. Hauschild) represent, among others, the twelve apostles, the six canonized kings (Kasimir of , Stephan I. of Hungary, Henry II. of , Louis IX. of France, Ferdinand III. of Spain and Edward of ). In the apse we see, Christ in his glory with Mary and his favourite disciple St. John. The side-walls of this hall show the good deeds of the six canonized kings. The gallery is supported by columns of imitated porphyry. The columns on the gallery itself are made of stucco-lapis­ lazuli. The big chandelier in a shape of a crown, is again made of gilded brass (by Wollenweber, ) and stuck with 96 candles. For snuffing and changing the candl es, the chandelier (weight 18 cwt) can be let d own b y means of a winch. A wonderful work (by D etoma, Vienna) is the tesselated pavement of the hall which is 45 feet wide and 60 feet long. T wo million scones (designed: by Spenger) show animals and plants from all over the world.

From the balcony of the throne-room the King, this ent­ husiastic fri end of nature could enjoy a splendid view of his beloved Bavarian and Tyrolian mountains, he could overlook the lakes of Allgau and in the foreground see his father's Hohenschwangau.

But the dark rooms give way at last to the Throne Room. Byzantine in style, even to its' dome, the Throne Room, in gold, gold and more gold, celebrates not the Germanic heroes, but the Christian ones. Here are the six canonized kinks, the Apostles, the saints and the Sav­ iour himself. The floor, a mosaic of two million pieces of stone, pictures animals and plants from all over the world. The Carrara marble dais leads up to the place where Ludwig had planned a gold and ivory thro1;1e. The throne was never made.