Burg Elkofen, Medieval castle in Grafing, Germany
Burg Elkofen is a medieval castle in Grafing, Bavaria, built around a tall defensive tower and enclosed by thick stone walls that divide the grounds into several courtyards. A small chapel sits within the complex, and the overall layout follows the pattern of a fortified lowland residence.
The castle traces its origins to the 11th century and first appeared in written records in 1040, when it was held by the Counts of Sempt-Ebersberg. It passed through noble families over the following centuries while keeping its medieval form largely intact.
The castle holds a Gothic chapel that visitors can still enter today, with its stone vaulting giving a clear sense of how worship once looked within these walls. The chapel was a working part of daily life here for centuries, not just a decorative feature.
The lower courtyard is open to visitors from Monday through Saturday at no charge, and this is the part most easily explored on foot without a guide. Group tours are generally reserved for school classes and organized parties, so those visiting alone will need to explore independently.
The altar that once stood in the castle chapel, decorated with carved figures, was moved to the Bavarian National Museum in Munich, where it is still on display. This means part of what originally belonged to this site can now be seen in a completely different setting across Bavaria.
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