Week after week, month after month, there is plenty to experience in Munich. But if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the state capital, you don’t have to travel far: the most beautiful castles and palaces are located in the immediate vicinity. Grünwald Castle is a very special destination . Alongside Blutenburg Castle, it is the only preserved medieval hilltop castle in the immediate vicinity of Munich. Best of all, it is open to the public. Step through the gate and leave the modern hustle and bustle of the city behind you, immersing yourself in the world of knights and dukes.
A varied history
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Grünwald Castle has its roots in the 12th century. But it was not until the 15th century , under the Wittelsbach dukes , that it became the magnificent medieval complex we know today. For a long time, it served the Bavarian rulers as a hunting lodge befitting their status, just outside their royal seat in Munich.
But the idyll is deceptive: it was not only the dukes who lived here and enjoyed a good life. In later centuries, its use changed dramatically. The thick walls that once protected the nobility now held prisoners: the castle became a notorious prison. In the 19th century, the castle was almost a ruin before it was saved and renovated by private individuals and later by the Free State of Bavaria .
Between castle bees and everyday life as a knight
Photo: Unsplash
You can explore the complex at your leisure on your own. The highlight of a visit to Grünwald Castle is the accessible residential tower, the keep. From the top, you have a panoramic view of the Isar Valley and, in good weather , far into the Alps. The inner courtyard with its deep well and thick walls also immediately transports you back a few centuries. Another highlight of the visit: the castle bees. Since 2017, several bee colonies have been living in the castle, and you can buy their honey in the museum shop.
The castle also houses a branch museum of the State Archaeological Collection. The permanent exhibition “Castles in Bavaria” explains in a playful and vivid way what life in a knight’s castle was really like – less romance, more hard everyday life. Every two weeks on Sundays at 2 p.m., there is a guided tour of the castle museum. Admission costs only €2.50.
Particularly convenient: getting there is a breeze! Tram 25 takes you from Munich to the countryside in just 25 minutes . After visiting the castle, you can take the steep footpath down to the Isar. Down there you will find the famous Großhesseloher Bridge and the kiosk on the Isar – perfect for a short break by the water.