Bavaria boasts quite a few castles and palaces. From medieval cave castles to the “German Versailles” and the most famous palace in the world, our state has it all. And we can also call the highest castle in the Federal Republic our own. The next time you plan a trip to Neuschwanstein, you should take the opportunity to make a detour to Falkenstein Castle and enjoy the view over the Allgäu.
A castle as a symbol of power
Count Meinhard II of Tyrol had Falkenstein Castle built in 1280 as a hilltop fortress in the Allgäu region, primarily to demonstrate his power. Since it is located just a few kilometers from Füssen, it was in close proximity to heavily traveled routes such as the Lech River and the Via Augusta. Due to its elevation of 1,268 meters, it was impossible to miss.
As an administrative center or residence, however, the castle was less suitable. Just a decade after its construction, Meinhard transferred the complex to the Bishop of Augsburg, after which it served as the seat of the Augsburg bailiffs for 300 years. However, due to its high elevation, the bailiffs could not live in Falkenstein during the winter and preferred to stay in the stable building 50 meters below, where all the farm buildings were located. The actual castle consisted only of a residential building and a curtain wall. In 1582, the bailiffs finally moved their official residence down to Pfronten in the valley.
More magnificent than Neuschwanstein
After the end of the Thirty Years’ War, Falkenstein Castle was left to its own devices and the complex fell into disrepair. Finally, in 1883, King Ludwig II acquired the castle and had grand plans for it. He wanted to turn it into a dream castle similar to Neuschwanstein, but in the Gothic style. Several architects designed fantastic plans, but their implementation was doomed to failure from the start due to the king’s financial problems.
Some of these designs have survived to this day and depict an imposing castle that is even more impressive than Neuschwanstein Castle. But before Ludwig could give his final approval to any of the designs, he passed away, and Falkenstein Castle remained a ruin.
A visit to Falkenstein Castle
All that remains of the former Falkenstein Castle today are the ruins of the outer wall and the main building. Where the farm buildings once stood, there is now the castle hotel, where you can stay overnight and stop for a meal. You can reach the ruins themselves via several hiking trails that lead you up the mountain. One of these trails takes you past a Marian grotto, which has stood on this spot since 1889. At Falkenstein Castle itself, there is a viewing platform from which, at an altitude of 1,277 meters, you can look out over the valley, admire the Allgäu landscape, and even spot Neuschwanstein Castle.
