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WalhallaDonaustauf bei Regensburg
Inside Germany's Temple of Fame
As
you step through the entrance on the Danube side of Walhalla, you'll encounter a
ticket booth. Beyond that is a large hall lined with marble and statuary. Lining
the walls are some 130 busts of famous people from the German-speaking world
plus 64 tablets that honor unknown people who made notable contributions to
German art, architecture, and history. (See
list of names.)
Ludwig I himself chose the first group of 150 notables and
unknowns to be honored with busts or plaques; more have been added over the last
century and a half, ranging from household names like Johannes Brahms and Albert
Einstein to Sophie Scholl, a Munich student and resistance leader who was
executed by the Nazis in 1943. To be eligible for induction into Walhalla, a candidate must
have been dead for at least 20 years, a native speaker of German, and a person
who has made a significant contribution to society. Nominations are reviewed by
the Bavarian Academy of Sciences. Tip: If you aren't
fascinated by German historical
figures, don't feel guilty about enjoying the view from Walhalla's terrace and
just taking a peek inside the building.) Next page: Directions, hours
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