About Blutenburg Castle
Blutenburg Castle is a late Gothic structure in Munich's Obermenzing district that now serves as a cultural center. The complex, surrounded by the Würm River, dates back to a 13th-century moated castle and was expanded into an impressive country estate in the 15th century. Duke Albrecht III and his son Sigismund had the castle enlarged and fitted out with valuable furnishings, and the castle chapel became one of Bavaria's most important late Gothic gems. Today the castle houses the International Youth Library, founded by Jella Lepman. In addition to the library, you can visit several reading museums here, including the Michael Ende Museum, the James Krüss Tower, and the Erich Kästner Room.
The complex is divided into an outer bailey and the older main castle. You enter through a gate tower, followed by the imposing castle chapel, built in 1488. The interior of the chapel has been preserved almost entirely in its medieval form, a quality underscored by the low-springing net vault and the original leaded glass windows. Particularly noteworthy are the cycle of apostle figures on the side walls and the altars, whose designs are attributed to the painter Jan Polack. The main panel of the high altar depicts the Holy Trinity in the Throne of Mercy type. The manor house itself is flanked by four towers with curved pointed roofs and was remodeled in the 17th century, which cost it its original fortified character.
After decades of decay and changing uses, including as an inn and later as a retirement residence, the castle underwent extensive renovation in the 1980s. Today it is a lively place that links past and present. The Weinfest of the Southern Wine Route traditionally takes place here in May. Near the castle, a monument to the bathkeeper's daughter Agnes Bernauer and a memorial to the victims of the death march from Dachau also recall the eventful history of the site. The sight line to Nymphenburg Palace, which once visually connected the two buildings, is currently obstructed by tree growth, but there are plans to restore it.
At a glance
- Category
- Sight › Castles
- Rating
- no reviews yet · write a review
- Address
- Seldweg 15
81247 Munich, Germany - District
- Pasing-Obermenzing
- Phone
- +49898119808
- Website
- www.schloesser.bayern.de
- —
- Coordinates
- 48.16317° N · 11.45710° E
- Data quality
- confidence 0.78
- Identifier
- ID f77e0a05-f99…
Location & surroundings
Toggle layersFAQ about Blutenburg Castle
quick answersWhat is Blutenburg Castle in Munich?
Blutenburg Castle is a late Gothic castle in Munich's Obermenzing district (part of the Pasing-Obermenzing borough) that now serves as a cultural center. Surrounded by the Würm River at Seldweg 15, the complex dates back to a 13th-century moated castle and was expanded in the 15th century under Duke Albrecht III and his son Sigismund into an impressive country residence. After decades of decay and use as an inn and a retirement home, the castle underwent extensive restoration in the 1980s.
What is special about the castle chapel at Blutenburg Castle?
Built in 1488, the castle chapel at Blutenburg Castle in Munich is considered one of the most important late Gothic gems in Bavaria. Its interior has survived almost entirely in its medieval form, with a low-set net vault and original leaded-glass windows. Inside, you'll see a cycle of apostle figures along the side walls as well as altars whose designs are attributed to the painter Jan Polack; the main panel of the high altar depicts the Holy Trinity in the Throne of Mercy style.
Which museums and institutions are housed in Blutenburg Castle?
Blutenburg Castle in Munich is home to the International Youth Library, founded by Jella Lepman. Besides the library, you can visit several reading museums there, including the Michael Ende Museum, the James Krüss Tower, and the Erich Kästner Room.
What can you see around Blutenburg Castle?
Right next to Blutenburg Castle in Munich-Obermenzing, a monument to Agnes Bernauer, the bathkeeper's daughter, and a memorial to the victims of the Dachau death march recall the history of the site. travelguide195 also lists the Michael Ende Museum about 29 meters away and the historic site Carlhäusl about 311 meters away. For a break, travelguide195 lists around 10 restaurants within 500 meters.
Which event traditionally takes place at Blutenburg Castle?
Blutenburg Castle in Munich traditionally hosts the Südliche Weinstraße wine festival in May. Today, the castle sees itself as a living place that connects past and present.
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This was built in 1438 as a hunting lodge for Albert III, Duke of Bavaria. It was on a river island between two arms of the River Würm, with the east arm dammed to create an ornamental lake - leisure rather than defence was always the intention here, and the ring wall, towers and gatehouse weren't designed against serious assault. It was embellished and extended by Albert's son Duke Sigismund, the stand-out being the chapel of 1488 in late Gothic style. Since 1983 the castle has housed the International Youth Library (Internationale Jugendbibliothek) so there is limited public access to the interior. You enter through the gatehouse into the courtyard. A stepped ramp or "ox piano" leads to the upper courtyard, with the Herrenhaus or mansion. The castle often hosts concerts and other cultural events and has a restaurant. Just outside is a modern sculpture park: notable works are the Spanish stone cross, the "plastic-granite" blocks, the Joseph Michael Neustifter memorial, and the memorial to the 7000 sent on the death march from Dachau just ahead of the Allied advance.
Source: Wikivoyage, „Munich/South-West“ · authors per page history · CC BY-SA 4.0 · as of 11/21/2022