Fürsteneck: Castle History and Views

Fürsteneck offers several starting points for planning your trip: Fürsteneck Castle is the town’s landmark, and a panoramic terrace on Atzldorfer Berg offers views of the Alps and the Bavarian Forest. The castle’s history and the surrounding landscape provide different focal points for your stay.

Castle History and Chapel

Fürsteneck Castle was built around 1200 under Bishop Wolfker of Erla as a western border fortification against the Duchy of Bavaria. The oldest known document mentioning Fürsteneck Castle to date dates from 1232. The construction period and the oldest known written record are therefore two different milestones: the recorded construction period is around 1200, while the document dates from later.

The grounds of Fürsteneck Castle are home to a Baroque chapel, which is now Fürsteneck’s parish church. The history of the castle and the chapel’s present-day religious function thus come together on the same grounds.

Views and Tour Planning

Atzldorfer Berg is Fürsteneck’s highest point. Its panoramic terrace offers views of the Alps and the Bavarian Forest; visibility depends on the weather. This makes the views a possible focus distinct from the history of the castle’s construction.

Fürsteneck-Ohbruck railway stop can also be included in a hiking or cycling tour. The municipality describes weekend and public holiday services; check the timetable before setting off.

In the wider Freyung-Grafenau destination

The Bavarian Forest National Park extends into the district of Freyung-Grafenau and opened on October 7, 1970, as Germany’s first national park. A 2024 zoning map designates 75.37 percent of its area as natural zones. The opening date provides historical context for the national park, while the stated share of its area offers insight into its zoning.

In the Buchberger Leite gorge, steep rock bars force the boulder- and cascade-filled Wolfsteiner Ohe into a deeply constricted bed. Remnants of primeval forest have been preserved in the gorge’s moss- and fern-rich woodlands. An eight-kilometer themed hiking trail runs through the Buchberger Leite between Freyung and Ringelai; information boards and an accompanying brochure are provided along the route. Historic log-driving walls, tunnels hewn into the rock and above-ground canals bear witness to centuries of human activity there.

In Freyung stands the Schramlhaus, built around 1700: it is the town’s oldest farmstead and, in its original state, one of the oldest in the district of Freyung-Grafenau. More than a hundred original examples of reverse glass painting are on display there; they are considered part of sacred folk art. The Wolfstein Local History Museum is also housed in the Schramlhaus.

Near Neuschönau in the district of Freyung-Grafenau, the treetop walk is part of the Lusen National Park Centre. At the animal enclosure, visitors can learn about the national park and its native wildlife. The circular trails are suitable for small children who are not yet able to cover long distances.

The Gabreta Archaeological Adventure Park features buildings reconstructed from original Celtic structures and serving as symbolic representations of Celtic finds discovered on Paul Freund’s hill. Bread baking is one of the hands-on activities available to visitors. Expert-led tours about Celtic life can also be booked. As programme details may change, check before your visit whether bread baking is on offer.

Discover more destinations: Waldkirchen, Saldenburg, Neuschönau, Ringelai, Sankt Oswald-Riedlhütte, Grainet, Sankt Oswald, Hohenau.

Back to the main travel guide: Freyung-Grafenau.