Wolfstein Castle, Medieval fortress in Freyung, Germany.
Wolfstein Castle is a fortified complex in Freyung, Bavaria, built around a central tower house with two wings connected by arcaded passages around a square courtyard. The buildings are made of stone and sit on a rocky outcrop, with the Saußbach river running below on three sides.
The castle was begun around 1200 under Bishop Wolfger von Erla, after Emperor Henry VI granted the surrounding lands to the bishops of Passau in 1193. Over the following centuries it changed hands several times and served different purposes before being restored to its current state.
The castle now holds two museums side by side: one showing regional art and another dedicated to hunting traditions and rural life. Walking from one to the other gives a sense of how the same space has served very different purposes over the centuries.
Sturdy shoes are a good idea, as the site has stairs and uneven surfaces across its different levels and courtyards. Visiting during the warmer months gives the best access to all areas, including both museums inside the complex.
The rocky spur the castle stands on is so narrow that the courtyard is barely larger than a regular room. This tight footprint forced the builders to use the arcaded passages as the only way to connect the different parts of the complex.
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