Schärding Castle

The origins of the castle are presumed to be in the 12th century, with the Counts of Formbach considered as potential builders. A first documentary mention occurred around 1150. Through inheritance, the castle passed to the Andechs family in 1160 and to the Babenbergs in 1230. Under Duke Leopold VI the Glorious, the wooden defenses were replaced by a stone castle on the granite rock. From 1248 to 1357, the castle was owned by the Bavarian dukes. In 1357, Duke Albrecht I of Bavaria-Straubing pledged the city and castle of Schärding to Austria to raise funds for the fight against Bohemian incursions. The Peace of Schärding in 1369 stipulated that Tyrol would go to Austria and Schärding to Bavaria, where it remained until 1705. Between 1429 and 1436, Duke Ludwig the Bearded had the fortifications expanded, including the city moat and the outer castle gate. During the War of the Spanish Succession, the complex was occupied by Austrian troops in 1705, but returned to Bavaria after the Peace of Rastatt in 1715.