Hals Castle (Ruin)

The first mention of the Lords of Hals dates back to 1072. Only forty years later, in 1112, the castle was referred to as property of the Palsenze of Eferding. In 1190, the nobles of Kamm from Ortenburg took over the lordship of the castle. These new castle lords were involved in numerous conflicts with the Counts of Bogen and the Bishops of Passau, which even led to the imperial ban being imposed by the emperor. In 1280, Rudolf of Habsburg elevated Albert von Kamm of Hals to the rank of count. The Counts of Hals expanded their sphere of influence to the Bohemian border and secured important trade routes such as the Golden Steig. Timber rafting and pearl fishing were sources of income. After the extinction of the Kamm-Hals line, the castle passed to the Upper Palatinate Count Johann von Leuchtenberg in 1375. Thanks to his good relations with Emperor Charles IV, he even obtained the right to mint coins. After Charles's death, Johann continued to support his son King Wenceslaus, which placed him on the losing side in the subsequent armed conflicts.