Natternberg

The origins of Natternberg Castle date back to 1145, when it was first mentioned as the noble seat of Hartwig von Natternberg, a member of the Counts of Bogen. After the extinction of the Bogen family in 1242, ownership passed to the Wittelsbach dynasty, who made the castle the seat of an administrator. Duke Heinrich der Natternberger spent his youth here and died in 1333 at the age of 21. Later, Peter von Egg was enfeoffed with the castle, but he fell out of favor with the Wittelsbachs, leading to a year-long siege in 1337 until he returned the castle. In 1430, Natternberg gained its own jurisdiction. A painting by Hans Donauer the Elder from around 1590 depicts the castle's appearance at that time.