Haltenberg Castle is a historic castle ruin in the Landsberg am Lech district in Upper Bavaria. It is located on the steep bank of the Lech River between the communities of Scheuring and Kaufering and is considered the only preserved castle ruin on the entire Lech River between Donauwörth and Füssen.
History:
The castle was first mentioned in documents in 1260 by Konrad von Haltenberg, a ministerial of the last Staufer, Konradin. Over the centuries, the castle changed hands several times:
• 1425: Sale of half of the castle to the Augsburg patrician Peter Rehlinger.
• 1612: Purchase by Duke Maximilian of Bavaria, who used the castle as a hunting lodge.
• 1795–1802: Partial demolition of the castle; the keep and parts of the surrounding walls remained.
Architecture:
The castle complex originally consisted of a rectangular main castle, protected by a double moat system to the north and east. The Romanesque keep, with an outer diameter of approximately 9 meters and a wall thickness of 2 meters, has been preserved to this day. The castle chapel of St. Erasmus, a Romanesque-Gothic chapel between the outer and main castles, was re-roofed in 1984.
Current condition:
Today, the keep, parts of the surrounding walls, and the ruins of the castle chapel have been preserved. The complex is freely accessible and offers visitors an insight into medieval architecture as well as a view of the Lech Valley. Information boards on site explain the history and architecture of the castle.
Visit:
The Haltenberg castle ruins are freely accessible all year round. Guided tours are offered and can be organized through the municipality of Scheuring or the Landsberg am Lech district. The surrounding area is also ideal for hikes along the Lech River.
A visit to the Haltenberg castle ruins not only offers an insight into the regional history, but also a charming view of the surrounding Lechrain landscape.