Burghausen Castle

Burghausen Castle

The longest castle in the world

Along a high, narrow ridge above the river Salzach, on Germany's border with Austria, stretches an astonishing chain of walls, towers, gates and courtyards: Burghausen Castle. It runs for more than a kilometre — officially the longest castle complex in the world — so long that walking from one end to the other takes a good while. Below it, the old town and a horseshoe lake complete one of the most beautiful scenes in Bavaria.

A ducal stronghold

Burghausen was a stronghold of the dukes of Bavaria, and especially of the rich and powerful line known as Bavaria-Landshut. The ridge's long, thin shape was perfect for defence: rather than one big keep, the castle grew as a series of separate courtyards, one behind another, each protected by its own walls and gates.

An attacker who broke into the first courtyard would face another, and another, all the way along the ridge — a nightmare to capture. This clever design is why the castle stretched out to such an extraordinary length over the centuries, mainly between the 13th and 15th.

A treasure house and a refuge

The dukes used Burghausen not only as a fortress but as a treasury and a safe refuge. In times of danger, the wealth of the duchy — and important members of the ducal family — could be kept secure behind its many gates. The castle also held grand halls, a chapel and comfortable apartments for the dukes and duchesses.

One duchess, Hedwig, a Polish princess who married into the Bavarian family, is especially remembered here; her famous and lavish wedding is still celebrated in the region.

Views over town and lake

Part of Burghausen's magic is its setting. From the long ridge, visitors look down on one side to the old town and the river Salzach, with Austria on the far bank, and on the other to a lovely curved lake. The views change as you walk along the castle's great length, each courtyard offering a new outlook.

Preserved and explorable

Because Burghausen was never destroyed in a great war, much of its enormous length survives, and visitors can explore courtyard after courtyard, with museums and exhibitions along the way. Climbing its towers and walking its full length is a real adventure, giving a vivid sense of the scale of a great ducal castle.

Visiting today

Visitors can walk the whole kilometre-long chain of courtyards, explore the main castle with its halls, chapel and museums, and enjoy the wonderful views over the town, the river and the lake. The charming old town below is well worth exploring too. Vast, clever and record-breaking, Burghausen Castle is one of the most remarkable fortresses in all of Germany.