Runding castle ruins
Runding Castle was once the largest hilltop castle in the Bavarian Forest in terms of area, larger than two football fields. It almost completely disappeared in the 19th century. Since 1996 the friends of the castle Rundig have been trying to make visible again what mighty bulwark used to be enthroned on the so-called "Schloßberg". Thanks to many idealists, the castle ruins are again a worthwhile destination today.
The Hussites and Swedes stormed its walls and wars of succession also hit it.
The castle is believed to have been built in the 11th century. The Runtingers sat on the "Schossberg" for about 300 years, then the Notthrachts for 400 years. The latter transformed the fortification in the 16th century into a generous manorial fortress.
Their downfall began in 1829 with the total overindebtedness of their owners. The Kingdom of Bavaria bought the dilapidated system for 233,000 guilders. However, our kings at the time were careful to perpetuate themselves with their own monuments (Wallhalla, Liberation Hall, King Ludwig Canal, Linderhof Palace, Herrenchiemsee and Neuschwanstein).
They cared nothing about the old castle and sold it to a Munich banker. For a few bucks she went from him to a Rundiger farmer. He sold everything that could be turned into money and left the walls to their fate. From then on, anyone who needed building blocks could use the Schlossberg. Little by little one brickwork after another disappeared.