Architectural history of the world's longest castle

The castle which stands as a witness to over one thousand years of history, is the focus of a visit to Burghausen and a picturesque feast for the senses and the  soul.

  • 2nd/1st century BC
     
    Blick von Österreich auf die Burghauser Burghöfe und den Burghang

    Presumably a Celtic sectional fortification

  • 8th/9th century
     
    Blick von Österreich auf die Burghauser Hauptburg, Altstadt und eine Plätte

    Presumably the fortified official court of the Agilolfingian dukes for the protection of salt shipping

  • 11th/ 12th century
     
    Die Außenansicht der Hedwigskapelle und die Türme der weltlängsten Burg in Burghausen

    Seat of the Count of Burghausen (until 1164); first castle expansion under Sighard X of the Aribones (around 1090); Henry the Lion is in possession of the castle; further expansion under the Wittelsbachs (from 1180)

  • 13th century
     
    Blick von der Salzach auf die Burghauser Hauptburg und den Burghang

    Completely new facility under Duke Henry XIII of Lower Bavaria after the first partition of Bavaria (1255); second residence of the Dukes of Lower Bavaria after Landshut; border stronghold against Salzburg and Passau; oldest preserved structure (main castle)

  • 14th century
     
    Blick in den Innenhof der Burghauser Hauptburg vom Aussichtspunkt des Museums

    Now fully expanded as a defence facility

  • 15th century
     
    Brücke mit Graben zur Burghauser Hauptburg mit der Fischauge-Fotoeinstellung

    The most important construction period under the last Dukes of Lower Bavaria (Henry the Rich 1393-1450, Ludwig the Rich 1450-1479, George the Rich 1479-1503); expansion of the facility to its current form comes under pressure from the Turkish threat (1480-1490); ducal residence; the castle is a self-contained community (defence and residential castle)

  • 16th century
     
    Schwurfinger im Burghof der Burg Burghausen

    Loss of the castle’s residential character after the Landshut War of Succession (1503-1505); Princes’ residence (sons of Albert IV the Wise); the castle continues to be of great military importance as a main weapons site; minor modifications; begin of decline

  • 17th century
     
    Georgstor auf der Burghauser Burg mit Brücke

    Fortifications strengthened against the threat of the advancing Swedes (1632)

  • 18th century
     
    Der Bastionsgarten und die Burghauser Hauptburg

    Expansion of outer fortifications according to the system of master fortress builder Marshal Sebastian de Vauban (1633-1707); turmoil of the Wars of Succession in the first half of the 18th century; extensive rebuilding (garrison castle from 1763); 1779 Peace of Teschen: Burghausen becomes a border town as the Inn section is lost to Austria

  • 19th century
     
    Burg Burghausen frontal mit blauem Himmel

    All outer fortifications torn down by French troops under General Ney (1800-1801); Napoleon declares the castle no longer fit for use as a fortress (1809); modifications, demolition, levelling and privatisation of parts of the castle; discharge of the garrison (1891); start of large-scale renovations to the main castle (1896); renovation work on the entire castle facility since 1960/1970

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