Burghausen

Burghausen is a town in the Altötting district of Upper Bavaria that stretches along the Salzach River on the Austrian border. The settlement sits on a narrow ridge between the river and the Wöhrsee inlet, which gives it an elongated shape.

The settlement grew during the Middle Ages under the protection of a fortress on the hilltop ridge, which expanded over centuries into the longest castle complex in Europe. After river salt trade ended in the 19th century, the town transformed into an industrial and chemical production center.

The building authority of Burghausen maintains architectural standards through four departments: Building, Town Planning, Civil Engineering, and Lower Building Inspectorate.

The historic core sits on the elevated old town, while newer residential areas spread along the riverbank and climb up the slopes. Many streets follow the elongated topography, so finding your way becomes easier when you keep the river course in view.

The town skyline is dominated by a castle complex that stretches over more than a kilometer along the hilltop ridge, making it the longest of its kind in Europe. Seen from the riverbank, the towers and walls form a continuous line above the entire old town.

Location: Altötting county

Elevation above the sea: 421 m

Shares border with: Haiming, Überackern, Hochburg-Ach, Sankt Radegund, Burgkirchen an der Alz, Mehring

Website: https://burghausen.de

GPS coordinates: 48.15886,12.83294

Latest update: December 15, 2025 02:24