Werdenfels Castle Ruins

The ruins of Werdenfels Castle stand about 80 metres above the Loisach valley between Garmisch and Farchant. The castle ruins are freely accessible and are a popular hiking destination with a good view of Garmisch-Partenkirchen and the Wetterstein Mountains.

The castle was probably built between 1180 and 1230. Its owner and the purpose of the original fortification are also unknown. In 1249, ownership of the fortress was transferred to the Prince-Bishopric of Freising. In 1294 Count Berthold III of Eschenlohe gave the Bishopric part of his county and was appointed as the castle guardian. After the creation of Freising territory, the County of Werdenfels, the castle served as the administrative and jurdical centre.

In the 15th century, Freising had to enfeoff the castle several times due to financial difficulties. The structural condition of the castle seems to have deteriorated to the beginning of the 17th century such that the governor's seat was moved in 1632 into a new administrative building on the Wang. From 1676 the fortress was exploited as a quarry. For example, numerous stone blocks from castle were re-used for the new baroque parish churches of Farchant and Garmisch.

As part of the seizure of church land in the Napoleonic era, the castle and county went to the Kingdom of Bavaria. In 1822 the Bavarian privy council, Ignaz von Rudhart, acquired the ruins, since when it has been privately owned.

In 1905-06, the walls were secured and partially rebuilt. After the tops of the walls were secured in 1961/63, further restoration finally began in 1986; this has continued sporadically since.

References:

• Wikipedia

Address

Ruine Werdenfels 1, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany

Details

Founded: 1180-1230
Category: Miscellaneous historic sites in Germany
Historical period: Hohenstaufen Dynasty (Germany)