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 International Youth Library housed within the castle brings together children's books from around the world, turning the place into a space where stories from different cultures meet. Visitors can see how tales and illustrations from various traditions sit side by side, sharing common themes about childhood and imagination.
The best time to visit is outside school holidays when it is less crowded, and you should allow extra time to explore the library since it is quite large. Comfortable shoes are important because there is a lot to walk through, and the path from parking has some uphill sections.
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.
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