Castles + Fortresses

The plans of King Ludwig II of Bavaria to erect a "pirate castle" as the last refuge failed because of his premature death in 1886. In 1889 lightning dismantled the eastern gable wall completely. In 1920 and 1960 insensitive securing works were carried out; only in 1999 – 2001 sensitive renovation of the building took place.

Castle Ruins Hopfen

Castle ruins Hopfen are located high above the village of Hopfen am See and is probably the oldest stone castle in the Allgäu. The castle was first mentioned explicitly in 1172 as the residence of the lords of Hopfen, who were committed to the Hochstift of Augsburg.

Castle ruins of Hohenfreyberg and Eisenberg

The castle ruins are part of the municipality of Eisenberg in the Allgäu and are located at an altitude of 1,041 and 1,055 m respectively. The castles are considered as some of the last major new buildings of the German Middle Ages.

Hohes Schloss in Füssen

The duke Ludwig of Bavaria began the castle construction of the Hohen Schloss at the end of the 13th century. It was first extended after pledging Füssens to the Hochstift of Augsburg and then around 1500 fundamentally reconstructed by prince-bishop Friedrich von Hohenzollern. The final construction is still to be seen today. It is one of the most important late-Gothic castle complexes in Germany.

Hohenschwangau Castle

In 1832 - 1836 crown prince Maximilian of Bavaria rebuilt the dilapidated castle Schwanstein in neo-gothic style. Here King Ludwig II spent his youth.

Neuschwanstein Castle

King Ludwig II built the fairy-tale castle in one of the most beautiful parts of the Allgäu. When he died on June 13, 1886, only the main rooms in Neuschwanstein were completed after 15 years of construction. Some rooms remained unfinished and were not finished after his death.