Burg Wittelsbach, Medieval castle ruins in Oberwittelsbach, Germany
Burg Wittelsbach is the site of a medieval stronghold in Oberwittelsbach where excavated foundation walls and a central cistern reveal the fortress's physical layout. Information boards throughout the ruins explain the different construction periods and how rooms and defensive structures were arranged.
Count Otto IV founded the castle in 1119 as a seat for House Wittelsbach, marking the family's move from an earlier residence at Scheyern. The stronghold eventually changed hands and lost its fortress function, with materials later being reused for construction elsewhere.
The Church of Mary built on the former castle grounds during the 15th century marks the spiritual transformation of this location. The chapel reflects how sacred meaning replaced the fortress's defensive purpose in local life.
Information boards placed throughout the site guide visitors through the layout and explain what they see in the ruins from different periods. The pathways between the remains are walkable though visitors should watch for uneven ground and exposed stone walls.
Excavations revealed that the castle's stones disappeared not through violent destruction but through slow and systematic removal for use in other buildings over decades. This quiet dismantling shows how old places can gradually fade rather than end in a single dramatic event.
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