Bavaria is home to numerous castles and palaces, but only a very few of them are still inhabited today. Most of them have instead been turned into museums that you can explore inside. However, there are certainly a few exceptions, such as Seefeld Castle on Lake Pilsen. Maxlrain Castle near Bad Aibling is another such example, offering cultural activities and dining experiences .
First a fortress, then a Renaissance castle
As early as the 9th century, a fortification was built on the site of today’s Maxlrain Castle in the Rosenheim district by the knights Podalunc and Reginhart. They belonged to the Maxlrainer family, who took their name from the district of the same name in present-day Tuntenhausen, where the complex is located. After a fire in 1577, only the chapel remained, which was to form the core of the new castle.
The new building featured a tall, Gothic roof and was complemented by four corner towers. These towers are topped with onion domes, which give Maxlrain Castle its distinctive appearance. In 1720, the Gothic chapel underwent a redesign in the Rococo style, and since then it has been adorned with Rococo stucco work and ceiling frescoes. Jean-Baptiste Zimmermann personally oversaw the creation of these.
After the Maxlrain family died out in 1734, the castle changed hands several times and even belonged to the Wittelsbachs for a time. In the 18th century, official permission was also granted to brew beer at Maxlrain Castle. Since then, you’ve been able to enjoy the dark beer, which you can still sample here today.
Visiting Maxlrain Castle
Since Maxlrain Castle is still privately owned and serves as a residence, you unfortunately cannot tour the interior. But even from the outside, the building, with its well-maintained courtyard, is quite impressive. Beer enthusiasts can take a guided tour of the castle brewery, where you’ll, of course, get to sample the brew. The tour includes a pretzel and a token for the Bräustüberl, which you can visit afterward. Just like the Schlosswirtschaft, the Bräustüberl features a lovely beer garden where you can enjoy your treats when the weather is nice .
If you prefer something more active, take a detour to the golf club, located next to Maxlrain Castle. Spanning 140 hectares, you can hit your balls on the 18-hole course against the stunning backdrop of the grounds. In addition, numerous cool events and cultural activities await you throughout the year. The annual classic car meet takes place in June, the opera stage comes alive with music in July, and in October, you can make your own sauerkraut during the “Krauthobeln” event.
