Colourful façades, winding alleyways and, towering above it all, a castle that breaks all records: the Upper Bavarian town of Burghausen is idyllically situated on the Salzach (river), right on the border with Austria, and is one of the region's most impressive historic sites. A special day-trip destination from Munich!
- Burghause Castle: The town's landmark
- Worth a visit: Raitenhaslach & Marienberg
- The listed old town of Burghausen
- Wöhrsee & a boat trip on the Salzach
- Events in Burghausen: Christmas Market & Castle Festival
- Burghausen: How to get there from Munich
Burghausen Castle is the landmark of this small Upper Bavarian town in the district of Altötting: at 1,051 metres, it is the longest castle complex in the world. It stretches along a narrow, elongated hilltop between the Salzach – the river marking the border with Austria – and Wöhrsee (lake). Due to this unique location, the castle was built in a long, narrow shape rather than a compact one, to provide optimal protection against attackers. The complex consists of a total of six courtyards, each secured by gates and walls – in the past, this was a major strategic advantage. These courtyards are all interconnected and can still be explored on foot today.
The castle's origins date back to 1025; it was further expanded in the 12th century and finally took on its present form in the 15th century, when Burghausen served as an important secondary residence for the Wittelsbach Dukes of Bavaria. Burghausen Castle was a residence, fortress, administrative centre and home to princely families; today it is regarded as a masterpiece of medieval architecture. Among the castle's attractions are not only the four museums – the House of Photography, the Burghausen Torture Museum, the State Castle Museum and the Town Museum – but also the magnificent gardens and two chapels. The former bakery now houses a castle café.
Visitors can either explore the world's longest castle complex at their own pace or book a guided tour: in addition to standard guided tours, there are also special family or themed tours.
About five kilometres from Burghausen stands the Marienberg pilgrimage church, also known as the ‘Pearl of the Salzach Valley’. The small Catholic church stands picturesquely on a hill, so you can see it from afar. It was first mentioned in records around 1145 and, over the centuries, was repeatedly rebuilt; in 1760, it was even completely rebuilt from scratch. Particularly noteworthy are the ceiling paintings by the fresco artist Martin Heigl inside the church; he was a pupil of the famous stucco artist Johann Baptist Zimmermann.
Another special attraction just outside Burghausen is Raitenhaslach Abbey. Monks founded this first Cistercian monastery around 1146; today it is not only a popular destination for day trips but also a centre of learning: the monastery is home to the Academic Centre of the Technical University of Munich (TUM). Don't miss the park-like gardens, the 800-year-old monastery church and the Klostergasthof Raitenhaslach (inn). If you go for a walk in the unspoilt surroundings, you'll see cattle and water buffalo grazing in the summer. Visitors can book a guided tour of Raitenhaslach Monastery Church and the Marienberg pilgrimage church on request.
Below the famous castle lies the listed old town of Burghausen, a masterpiece of the Inn-Salzach architectural style. This distinctive architectural style emerged as early as the Middle Ages along the trade routes between Innsbruck, Hallein and Passau. It is characterised above all by its pastel-coloured façades, curved gables and the Mediterranean-style old town alleyway known as ‘In den Grüben’. Walking down this listed street in the pedestrian zone today, you feel a bit as though you're in Italy, surrounded by small shops, restaurants and workshops. Incidentally, Burghausen's town square, with its Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo façades, is considered one of the most beautiful squares in Central Europe.
If you prefer a greener setting, Wöhrsee is the place for you: nestled below Burghausen Castle lies an emerald-green lake – in winter you can go ice skating or curling here, whilst in summer the Wöhrseebad is the perfect spot for swimming or boating. Visitors can hire pedalos and SUPs, whilst children will love the playground, kiosk and diving platform. In fact, with its unique setting, the outdoor pool is one of the most impressive in the whole of Bavaria; it is open from May to October.
A trip on a ‘Plätten’ along the Salzach is a special experience – a leisurely journey on historic wooden boats that were once used primarily for transporting salt. For centuries, these so-called ‘Plätten’ were an important means of transport along the river and played a key role in shaping the region's economic development. Today, visitors can float peacefully along the water and experience the impressive backdrop of the world's longest castle from a whole new perspective. During the trip, experienced boatmen and women share fascinating facts about the history of salt shipping, the lives of the boatmen, and exciting anecdotes about Burghausen. On warm days in particular, the trip offers an idyllic way to combine nature, history and Bavarian tradition.
Throughout the year, a wide variety of events attract visitors to Burghausen – from time-honoured festivals to cultural highlights. The Burgfest is particularly popular, transforming the historic site into a living stage for jousting tournaments, music and craft demonstrations. In a medieval atmosphere, guests are transported back in time and enjoy a varied programme for the whole family.
The Christmas markets in Burghausen are just as atmospheric: the old town takes on a romantic atmosphere over the first two weekends of Advent, when the ‘Advent in den Grüben’ takes place. Visitors can stroll through the narrow streets and discover handicrafts and delicacies at the little stalls. The Burgweihnacht is considered one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in the region: as well as a fire show and the traditional ‘Liachtlanzünder’, there are, of course, nativity scene decorations, small gifts, culinary delights and attractions for the little ones.
Other highlights include the internationally renowned Burghausen Jazz Week, which attracts jazz fans from all over the world to the town. Burghausen has been all about jazz since 1970 – top-class stars from the scene as well as young up-and-coming talents perform at various venues, ranging from large stages to small clubs. During the festival week, a unique atmosphere takes hold of the town as the historic old town fills with international artists, music fans and the lively sounds of jazz!
Train from Munich: 1.5 to 2 hours. For more information, visit www.bahn.de
By car: approx. 1.5 hours via the A94
