Blutenburg Castle, Medieval hunting lodge in Pasing-Obermenzing, Germany

Blutenburg is a hunting lodge situated along the Würm River, with stone walls and towers showing late Gothic style and defensive features. The structure combines residential spaces with fortified elements, housing both the youth library and a chapel with important artworks inside.

Construction began in 1431 under Duke Albrecht III's orders, transforming a simple hunting lodge into a fortified residence over the next decade. After losing its military importance, it changed hands and purposes over centuries, eventually becoming home to the youth library in the mid-20th century.

The castle houses the International Youth Library, founded by Jella Lepman and based here since 1983. Its rooms hold the Michael Ende Museum, the James Krüss Tower, the Erich Kästner Room and, since July 2005, the Binette Schroeder Cabinet. The Erich Kästner Society also has its seat in the building, and Blutenburg concerts are held here.

The complex is reached on foot from the S-Bahn station in Obermenzing, and the Würm flows around the castle and its chapel, so the water is visible from the paths along the lawns. The International Youth Library occupies the castle rooms, and the reading museums are inside the building. The sight axis toward Nymphenburg, the Durchblick, is blocked by trees that have grown since the second half of the 20th century.

The chapel holds three Gothic altars painted by Jan Polack, one of Munich's most important artists in the 15th century. These works show detailed scenes of Saints Bartholomew and Sigismund, and their survival in this location is quite rare.