Jagdschloss Grünau: A 16th-Century Hunting Lodge in Bavaria

Visitor Information

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Official Website: www.neuburg-donau.de

Country: Germany

Civilization: Unclassified

Remains: Military

History

Jagdschloss Grünau is situated near Neuburg an der Donau in modern-day Germany. This hunting lodge was built during the 16th century by members of the Wittelsbach dynasty, a prominent ruling family in the region.

Construction of the lodge began in 1530 under the direction of Otto Heinrich, Elector Palatine. He commissioned the building as a country retreat and hunting residence for his wife, Susanna of Bavaria. The earliest part erected was a residential tower, now known as the Old Castle, completed by 1531. Despite some interruptions, the complex was expanded over the following decades to include several wings surrounding a sizable courtyard, with the main construction phase concluding by 1555.

Throughout this period, the lodge served primarily as a noble estate and hunting base, reflecting the lifestyle and leisure pursuits of its owners. No records indicate military occupation or administrative functions during this early phase. The building’s design as a water castle, surrounded by moats, attests to its status and defensive considerations typical of noble residences of the time, although those moats later disappeared.

In the 21st century, the site adapted to new uses tied to scientific research and cultural activities. Since 2006, the castle has been home to the Aueninstitut Neuburg, supporting ecological studies related to the surrounding Danube floodplain. Its affiliation with the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt began in 2010, and the research center known as the Auenzentrum Neuburg was officially inaugurated in 2008. Ownership remains with the Wittelsbach Compensation Fund, which oversees its preservation and continued use for cultural events.

Remains

Jagdschloss Grünau presents a well-preserved example of a 16th-century residential castle organized around a central courtyard. The heart of the complex is the original residential tower constructed around 1530, which provided living quarters and essential spaces for its noble occupants. Additional wings, added between 1537 and 1539 and finalized by 1555, complete the enclosure of the courtyard, creating a cohesive architectural unit.

Inside, the spatial arrangement largely reflects its 16th-century origins, with distinct rooms identified by their function. These include a dining chamber, two noble apartments each comprising living and sleeping rooms, an adjoining side room often referred to as a studiolo or cabinet used for study or private reflection, and a collection of attic rooms. This interior layout offers valuable insights into the lifestyle and domestic arrangements of its period.

A remarkable feature of the castle is its series of wall paintings adorning the upper floors. These decorations were initiated primarily by the artist Jörg Breu the Younger and subsequently added to by others. The paintings contribute important artistic and cultural dimensions to the site, tracing the tastes and artistic influences of the Renaissance era in the region.

Originally, the castle was designed as a water castle, protected by moats encircling the structure. Over time, these moats have silted up and vanished from the landscape, but their former presence is integral to understanding the site’s defensive and aesthetic design.

Situated within Central Europe’s largest contiguous floodplain forest area, the castle benefits from its natural surroundings, which historically complemented its role as a hunting lodge. Today, the site is formally recognized as a protected architectural monument and archaeological site in Bavaria. Excavations and surveys have documented medieval and early modern artifacts in the vicinity, underscoring the location’s historical depth beyond the castle itself.