Burghausen Castle

Burghausen Castle is a ridge castle stretching over one kilometer along a narrow hilltop at 420 meters above sea level. It is Europe’s longest castle complex, built mainly from tuff blocks, a type of travertine stone. The complex consists of six courtyards arranged linearly from south to north, with the main castle at the southern end.

The first courtyard contains the oldest surviving medieval structures. These include the Palas, the ducal residence with late Romanesque and Gothic features such as rib vaults and oak beam ceilings. The Dürnitz, a large two-aisled hall with a back-loading stove, served as a dining and gathering space. The Kemenate, a three-story residential building for the duchess’s court, dates to the 13th century and features late Gothic vaults and 16th-century wooden ceilings. The inner castle chapel, built in 1255, is the oldest early Gothic church in southern Bavaria and contains 14th-century frescoes, a choir altar from 1524, and a bell from 1474. The castle gate complex includes the Elsbethen Gate with a seven-story keep (bergfried) and a shield wall equipped with a portcullis.

The second courtyard once housed a large stable for over 100 horses and a bakery, though much of it was demolished for military exercises. The Georg Gate, built in 1494, marks the northern boundary and displays a late Gothic coat of arms commemorating the Bavarian-Polish alliance linked to the 1475 Landshut Wedding.

In the third courtyard stands a three-story arsenal building from at least 1427, constructed of tuff blocks. It stored grain on the upper floor and weapons below, including 185 artillery pieces recorded in 1533. Three small gun turrets called “Pfefferbüchsen” flank the arsenal. A smithy was also part of this courtyard.

The fourth courtyard contained a large stable known as the Haberkasten, built between 1387 and 1427, which was demolished in 1878 and later rebuilt as a youth hostel. This area also includes the Aventinus House, a former defensive tower, and the Folterturm or torture tower. The Folterturm now serves as a museum displaying early modern torture devices and preserves the castle dungeon.

The fifth courtyard features the well-preserved late Gothic Hedwig Chapel, built in 1489 by Duchess Hedwig and Duke Georg. It is notable for its rib vaults over a curved plan, red marble columns, sandstone statues, and late medieval votive reliefs. The chapel contains a late 15th-century altar retable on loan from the Bavarian National Museum.

The sixth courtyard is broader and more densely built, with three 14th-century defensive towers converted into administrative offices during the 16th to 18th centuries. It includes the Kanzler Tower and the Christophs Gate, which provides access to the town.

Defensive features throughout the complex include multiple outer wards (zwingers), a deep moat now filled in, a long battlemented wall, and a powder tower from around 1500. The powder tower has walls up to five meters thick, four stories, and a deep well to supply water during sieges.

Archaeological excavations beneath the Dürnitz uncovered early medieval graves and wall remains, which are now visible in the visitor center. The castle’s buildings have undergone many changes, including expansions in the 15th and 16th centuries, military upgrades in the 18th century, demolitions in the 19th century, and restorations in the 20th century aimed at reversing some later alterations.

Decorative elements include painted coats of arms from 1523, frescoes depicting the Three Magi, and heraldry celebrating dynastic marriages. The castle today houses several museums within the Palas, Kemenate, and other buildings, alongside public amenities such as a café in the second courtyard.