Schloss Rosenburg, Medieval castle in Riedenburg, Germany
Schloss Rosenburg is a hilltop castle on a ridge above Riedenburg in the Altmühltal valley, in Bavaria's Kelheim district. It is a listed building and an underground archaeological monument, administered by the Bavarian Palace Administration. The complex was largely destroyed in the Peasants' War in April 1525 and rebuilt between 1556 and 1560; it was extensively renovated in 2014/15.
The castle was probably built in the second half of the 12th century by the Babonen, who were burgraves of Regensburg, landgraves of Stefling and counts of Riedenburg. After their lines died out in 1185 and 1196 it passed to Duke Ludwig I of Bavaria, and in 1329 the Treaty of Pavia gave it to Emperor Ludwig IV. In April 1525 rebels took and largely destroyed it during the Peasants' War; it was rebuilt between 1556 and 1560.
The castle's name comes from the Rosenburg, the hilltop fortress built in the 12th century by the Babonen, who were burgraves of Regensburg and counts of Riedenburg. Today the grounds hold a falconry centre founded in 1978, where birds of prey are shown in flight; the courtyard is only accessible during its opening hours and for a fee.
Access to the castle courtyard is possible only during the falconry centre's opening hours and against an admission fee. Inside the castle buildings, only the castle cellar, run as an inn, and the museum are open to visitors; there is no general walk-through of the rest of the structure.
The castle now houses a specialized falconry center where visitors can watch different birds of prey perform live flight demonstrations. This center draws people who want to learn about the ancient craft of falconry and how the birds behave.
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