We recently visited the Burghausen Castle in Burghausen, Upper Bavaria. This medieval village is the longest castle complex in the world (1051 m), confirmed by the Guinness World Records.
The gothic castle comprises the main castle with the inner courtyard and five outer courtyards.
The outermost point of the main castle is the Palas with the ducal private rooms. Today it houses the castle museum, including late Gothic paintings of the Bavarian State Picture Collection.
On the town side of the main castle next to the donjon are the gothic inner Chapel of St. Elizabeth (1255) and the Dürnitz (knights’ hall) with its two vaulted halls. Opposite the Dürnitz are the wings of the Duchess’ residence.
The castle hill was already settled in the Bronze Age. The castle (which was founded before 1025) was transferred to the Wittelsbachs after the death of the last count of Burghausen, Gebhard II, in 1168. In 1180 they were appointed dukes of Bavaria and the castle was extended under Duke Otto I of Wittelsbach.
With the first partition of Bavaria in 1255, Burghausen Castle became the second residence of the dukes of Lower Bavaria, the main residence being Landshut.
In 1255 under Duke Henry XIII (1253–1290) the work for the main castle commenced. In 1331 Burghausen and its castle passed to Otto IV, Duke of Lower Bavaria.
Under the dukes of Bavaria-Landshut (1392-1503), the fortifications were extended around the entire castle hill. Starting with Margarete of Austria, the deported wife of the despotic Duke Henry XVI (1393–1450), the castle became the residence of the Duke’s consorts and widows, and also a stronghold for the ducal treasures.
In 1447 Louis VII, Duke of Bavaria died in the castle as Henry’s prisoner. Under Duke Georg of Bavaria (1479–1503) the work was completed and Burghausen Castle became the strongest fortress of the region.
After the reunification of Bavaria in 1505 with the Landshut War of Succession the castle had military importance, and due to the threat of the Ottoman Empire it was subsequently modernised. During the Thirty Years War Gustav Horn was kept imprisoned in the castle from 1634 to 1641.
After the Treaty of Teschen in 1779 Burghausen Castle became a border castle. During the Napoleonic Wars the castle suffered some destruction. The ‘Liebenwein tower’ was occupied by the painter Maximilian Liebenwein from 1899 until his death. He decorated the interior in the Art Nouveau style.
IF YOU GO:
Burgverwaltung Landshut – Außenstelle Burghausen
Burg Nr. 48, 84489 Burghausen
Telephone +49 8677 4659
Fax +49 8677 65674
[email protected]
- The castle is a little more than an hour’s drive from Munich by car, and a bit more by public transportation.
- Parking is free as is the entry to the castle grounds. Wear comfortable shoes as there is a bit of walking, but it is all flat ground and relatively easy going.
- There a several placed to snack and eat within the grounds, but we always like to head down into the Old Town for a walkabout and coffee/cake.
- Take a walk across the bridge in the center of town for some spectacular views — and a look at the Icarus statue halfway across the bridge.
Photos: munichFOTO
Source: Wikipedia, Burghausen Castle
Visit to Burghausen - Part 1
Visit to Burghausen - Part 3
