Castles in Bavaria: 16 tips that you should see

Dream castle above Füssen in the Allgäu. Global icon for Bavaria and Germany. Romantic setting against the backdrop of the Ammergebirge mountains. King Ludwig II (1845 to 1886) planned this idealised medieval knights’ castle as his own private retreat – for himself alone! The design was based on the Wartburg in Thüringen. It was rebuilt in the 19th century in Historicist style.

Work on Neuschwanstein Castle began in 1869. Many of the paintings in the interior feature operas by Richard Wagner, whom Ludwig idolised. However, it also boasts the latest technology of the time, such as hot air central heating and an electrical call system. Ludwig only spent a few months in the castle, dying in 1886 before it was fully complete. The castle was opened to the public just a few weeks later. Today, Neuschwanstein Castle is the top tourist attraction in Bavaria.
neuschwanstein.de

Story Tip: Neuschwanstein Castle: Behind the Scenes of a Restoration

Founded in Munich as a summer residence for Bavaria’s rulers in 1662 and based on Italian designs. The palace assumed its current dimensions (wider than Versailles!) under Elector Max Emanuel (1662 to 1726). Along with the palace, the complex features a park with a large waterfall, four pavilions (including the Amalienburg, a Rococo masterpiece) and a Grand Circle.

Nymphenburg is one of Europe’s great royal palaces. The interior was created by renowned artists such as François de Cuvilliés and Johann Baptist Zimmermann. The most famous highlight: the “Gallery of Beauties” (38 portraits of Munich’s society women, including Lola Montez), commissioned by King Ludwig I. Mozart once played in the palace and it is where Ludwig II was born (25 August 1845).

Today, the palace also boasts a large collection of carriages as well as a porcelain manufactory and collection. The House of Wittelsbach still has right of residence in the palace.
schloss-nymphenburg.de

As Crown Prince, Ludwig II used to stay in a forest lodge in the Ammergau Alps when hunting with his father, Maximilian II. A long period of building and renovation began in 1869 and resulted in the Linderhof Palace. The second most popular castle in Bavaria.

It is the only one of his major castle and palace projects that Ludwig lived to see completed. Its design was based on the French pleasure palaces of the 18th century. Various motifs of Bavarian Rococo can be found here. Richly decorated interior. Bedroom in the style of the French Sun King. Palace garden with many decorative buildings: water basin with fountain, cascade with Neptune fountain, Moorish kiosk and more.

The famous Venus Grotto: an artificial stalactite cave with a lake and a waterfall as well as electric lighting. The power comes from a Siemens dynamo in a special machine house - considered one of the first power plants in Bavaria.
schlosslinderhof.de

The Margravial Residence, also known as the Ansbach Residence, is a magnificent Baroque palace in the Bavarian town of Ansbach. Originally built as a Gothic moated castle, the palace was remodelled in the 17th and 18th centuries into a prestigious Baroque-style residence. The residence is characterised by its lavish architecture and impressive interior, which includes 27 state rooms, precious stucco work and an impressive ceiling fresco by Carlo Carlone in the banqueting hall. In addition to the banqueting hall, the Mirror Cabinet with a collection of Meissen porcelain and the Hall of Tiles with around 2,800 tiles are among the main attractions of the residence.

The French Baroque-style courtyard garden with its palace-like orangery is perfect for a stroll. Today, the Margravial Residence serves as a museum and event venue, offering visitors an insight into the glorious past of the Franconian margraves.
schloesser.bayern.de/englisch

The impressive Höchstädt Castle is a striking monument to the history of the former Principality of Palatinate-Neuburg. The building was erected in the 13th century and later remodelled in the late Renaissance style, incorporating the Gothic tower of the previous castle. Duchess Anna von Jülich-Kleve-Berg lived here as a widow from 1615 to 1632 and adhered to the Protestant faith, while her son supported the Counter-Reformation in Neuburg.

The castle chapel still bears witness to this religious conflict today. The castle has been used for a variety of purposes over the years, yet it has largely been preserved in its original splendour.
schloesser.bayern.de/englisch

Many owners, a long history: the Burgberg was settled as far back as the Bronze and Iron Ages. Celts and Romans also liked the location. The narrow ridge towers over Burghausen. A large part of the fortress that you see today dates back to the Late Middle Ages. At that time (around 1250 to 1500) it was the second residence of the House of Wittelsbach from the duchy of Bavaria-Landshut. This is where they hoarded their silver and gold.

The most famous resident was Hedwig Jagiellonica, whose wedding to Duke George the Rich in Landshut (1475) is still celebrated every four years. At one kilometre in length, it is the longest castle in the world. The curtain wall is mostly intact. The complex includes five great courtyards, plus gate, towers, residential and commercial buildings. The castle has never been conquered!
burg-burghausen.de

This castle can be seen from a distance, high above Landshut. Originally, the castle bore the name of the town; it was only in the 16th century that it changed to Trausnitz. The castle was built in the 13th century. It served as a residence for the Dukes of Lower Bavaria from 1255 to 1503. Famous guests: Emperor Friedrich II, Walther von der Vogelweide and Tannhäuser! Many extensions and renovations under the “Rich Dukes” of Bavaria-Landshut in the 15th century. Under Duke Wilhelm V, wonderful wall frescoes in the style of Florentine Mannerism. It was damaged by fire in 1961.

As you walk round it, you see medieval halls, the castle chapel of St. George with valuable sculptural decorations and three Gothic winged altars as well as the famous Fools’ Staircase with scenes from the Commedia dell’arte. The balcony gives a fantastic view over Landshut. Also worth visiting: the Chamber of Art and Curiosities, a ducal collection of the artistic, exotic and curious.
burg-trausnitz.de

One of biggest and oldest castles in Bavaria. It towers over the town of the same name on the River Wörnitz, north of Donauwörth. The core of the castle is surrounded by a curtain wall with six towers. It has a bailiwick, two baileys (“Diebsturm” and “Faulturm”), a great hall, a well, a church and a crypt chapel. First written mention 1150. Roman finds suggest that the location was highly prized before that.

The Dukes of Oettingen took over the castle in 1299 and expanded it. It is still owned by the charitable cultural foundation Fürst zu Oettingen-Wallerstein today. Many parts date back to the 15th and 16th centuries. It contains elements of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque.

During a tour of the castle you will see, among other things: church, battlements walk with towers and corners, courtroom, bailey, Prince’s Hall and Prince’s Building. There are also themed tours including musical, night, children’s and archive tours.
burg-harburg.de (only in German)

The town of Friedberg lies elevated above the Lechfeld. The Wittelsbach dynasty built it as a fortress against neighbouring Augsburg. The partially preserved town wall and the castle-like palace, a Renaissance building with medieval origins that has been extensively restored, bear witness to this. The centrepiece is the museum. It presents the history of the castle and the town using modern media.

From the 16th to the 19th century, Friedberg was a centre of watchmaking of European standing. A collection displays valuable Friedberg clocks from this period. There are also rare faiences ( pottery with a white glaze), which were produced in a manufactory in the castle. There are also archaeological finds, sacred art and works by Friedberg artists.
wittelsbacher-schloss-friedberg.de (only in German)