Grünwald Castle

The origins of the castle site may date back to a Roman watchtower on the high bank of the Isar. In the 12th century, the high medieval castle is documented as property of the Counts of Andechs. In 1293, it came into the possession of the Wittelsbach dynasty when Duke Ludwig the Strict acquired the fortress from Ulrich von Vellenberg. The castle largely acquired its current appearance at the end of the 15th century, when it was expanded in 1486/87 under the direction of master builder Jörg von Weikertshausen, on the occasion of Albrecht IV's wedding. The castle served as a hunting lodge, prison, and gunpowder magazine. A notable prisoner from 1698 was an Italian impostor who called himself "Count Domenico Manuel Caetano, Conte de Ruggiero" and only regained his freedom in 1704.