Burg Unter-Falkenstein: A Historic Hill Castle in Flintsbach am Inn, Germany

Visitor Information

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Official Website: burg-falkenstein.bayern

Country: Germany

Civilization: Unclassified

Remains: Military

History

Burg Unter-Falkenstein is a castle ruin situated in the municipality of Flintsbach am Inn, Germany. Built by the Bavarian nobility, this hill castle likely emerged around the year 1300, following the destruction of an older fortress known as Burg Ober-Falkenstein, which lies above the site. The absence of any records mentioning a second Falkenstein castle in the 12th and 13th centuries supports the conclusion that Unter-Falkenstein was a later foundation.

After the noble family of Falkenstein became extinct, the castle served as a seat for the ducal Bavarian court. In the aftermath of the Wittelsbach dynasty’s division of inheritance in 1310, the castle came under the ownership of Duke Rudolf I. Over the following centuries, the estate changed hands several times. In 1501, it was sold to the wealthy Hofer family from Schwaz, only to be bought back in 1535 by Duke Wilhelm IV. Later, in 1556, the property was transferred to Georg Hundt of Lauterbach, and subsequently to the Freiherren von Ruepp in 1642. By 1768, Count Johann Max V. von Preysing-Hohenaschau had assumed ownership.

The court lordship associated with Falkenstein included the nearby manors of Brannenburg, Holzhausen, and Redenfelden. Count Max V. eventually moved the administrative seat to Brannenburg. Tragedy struck when the main castle building was destroyed by fire on May 25, 1784. A second fire claimed the outer bailey, or courtyard area, on October 5, 1789. Although the lordship court continued in Brannenburg until 1827, the noble privileges tied to the estate were abolished in 1848 amid broader social changes.

In the years that followed, the castle itself passed through various owners. It was sold in 1849 to a Sardinian envoy and later acquired in 1863 by the Württemberg Aktiengesellschaft O. Steinbeiß & Co. From 1932 onward, ownership belonged to the Henkel company based in Düsseldorf. Despite its ruined state, the residential tower of the castle remained inhabited by the owners until 2009. More recently, the Environmental, Cultural, and Social Foundation of the Rosenheim district took possession of the site.

Between 2016 and 2019, the castle underwent a restoration project funded with around one million euros. However, on June 3, 2024, heavy rain caused the northern wall of the outer bailey to partially collapse. This event necessitated the evacuation of nearby residents and led to ongoing efforts to rebuild the damaged wall. Presently, the castle remains closed to the public as reconstruction continues.

Remains

Burg Unter-Falkenstein is situated on a hill at approximately 536 meters above sea level, lying at the base of the Großer Madron and Kleiner Madron hills. Architecturally, it is classified as a Höhenburg, or hill castle, reflecting its elevated defensive position. The castle site is protected as a historic monument and archaeological area under official Bavarian heritage regulations.

The most prominent surviving structure is the residential tower of the core castle, which historically served as living quarters and was maintained as an inhabited dwelling until 2009. This tower stands as a testament to the castle’s prolonged use and adaptation over the centuries. Additionally, the foundation walls marking the boundaries of the outer bailey, the subsidiary courtyard outside the main fortified area, remain visible.

Following the partial collapse in 2024, reconstruction efforts have focused on the northern section of the outer bailey wall. Work includes rebuilding portions of the wall utilizing the existing masonry remains, integrating original stonework with new materials to stabilize and preserve the structure. These restoration activities aim to maintain the castle’s historical fabric while securing it against further damage.

Throughout its existence, the castle’s layout and visible remnants reflect the typical features of medieval hill castles in Bavaria. While detailed decorative elements or inscriptions have not been documented, the surviving components demonstrate the practical construction methods and enduring stone masonry of the site’s medieval builders. The castle continues to be studied as an important archaeological and cultural landmark within the region.