Franz Josef Strauß, the iconic figure of Bavaria's Christian Social Union (CSU) party who lived from 1915 to 1988, will be inducted into the prestigious Walhalla Hall of Fame near Regensburg. Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) made this significant announcement during his keynote speech to CSU state parliament members at the Upper Franconian monastery of Banz near Bad Staffelstein, according to attendees present at the event.
The Walhalla, constructed in 1842 by Bavaria's King Ludwig I in the neoclassical style, stands as one of Bavaria's most influential monumental buildings and serves as a major tourist attraction. This hall of fame currently houses 132 busts commemorating German-speaking personalities of enduring historical significance, along with 65 memorial plaques that preserve the memory of important historical events.
Among the distinguished personalities honored in Walhalla are monarchs such as King Henry I, writers and scholars including Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, and religious figures like Martin Luther. The most recent addition to the hall was scientist Max Planck. The inclusion of modern party politicians has been relatively rare in Walhalla's history, with notable exceptions including Konrad Adenauer (CDU), the first Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany. Plans are also underway to include a bust of Jewish publicist Hannah Arendt in the hall of fame.
The process for admission to Walhalla involves several steps and governmental approval. Any citizen can submit proposals for inclusion to the Bavarian Ministry of Science, which then evaluates the candidate's suitability in collaboration with the Academy of Sciences. The final decision regarding admission must be made by the Bavarian Council of Ministers, ensuring a thorough vetting process for all potential inductees.
The name "Walhalla" originates from Germanic mythology, where it represented a place of honor for fallen warriors. King Ludwig I chose this name deliberately, wanting to connect with this ancient tradition while being influenced by the impact of the Napoleonic Wars. This historical context adds deeper meaning to the hall's mission of preserving the memory of significant German-speaking figures throughout history.
