Schmachtenberg Castle

To the east, the main castle was fronted by a spacious outer bailey, which was probably secured by a stone curtain wall. This outer bailey lay a few meters higher than the core castle. Both parts of the castle were separated by a deep neck ditch.

The main castle consisted of the square of the core castle, which was surrounded by the partially preserved mighty Zwinger (outer bailey) systems with four corner towers. In the northwest of the core castle stood a residential building with a cellar, whose upper floors were probably constructed in half-timbered style, typical for the region.

The southeastern corner tower of the Zwinger is slightly offset inwards and thus flanked the main gate. The narrow gate Zwinger ended at the small castle chapel with the entrance to the core castle. Even at the beginning of the 20th century, a pointed arch portal stood upright here, whose fragments were actually to be reassembled during the renovation.

In addition to the four corner towers, another tower structure might have been located in front of the fortress to the west. Around 1525, six castle towers are mentioned. The sixth tower was probably a stair or corner tower at the main building, whose base could be uncovered during the renovation.

In 2008, the "Büro für Burgenforschung Dr. Zeune" created a virtual reconstruction of the entire castle complex, which was published by the Haus der Bayerischen Geschichte as part of its "Castles in Bavaria" project.

Current State

Two round towers, three sides of the ring or Zwinger wall, and a cellar vault are preserved.

The layout of the complex forms an irregular trapezoid with dimensions of 56 × 42 meters or 47 × 37 meters.

The corners were formerly fortified with four flanking towers, two of which have been preserved.

The castle plateau is separated from the hinterland to the east by a deep, approximately 15-meter-wide neck ditch. On this side, only a few wall remains have been preserved adjacent to the southeastern flanking tower. The northeastern corner tower has disappeared, except for recently uncovered base remains, and the adjoining curtain wall is still preserved up to the start of the battlement.

The Zwinger wall now meets the well-preserved northwest tower and continues southwards.

The southwestern flanking tower has completely disappeared.

On the Main side, the impressive Zwinger wall rises with its long row of corbel stones of the former battlement. At the end of the Zwinger, remains of the main gate are still preserved. Next to it, one can still see one of the brick supporting arches of the battlement construction. Opposite, the starting point of the circuit rises again, the partially preserved, southeastern corner tower. Inside the castle, only wall remains and the preserved cellar indicate the former buildings.

By spring 2008, the wall sections in the north and west with the preserved towers could be secured. Furthermore, the foundations of the northern interior buildings and the light shafts of the cellar system were uncovered.