Berchtesgaden Castle

The origins of Berchtesgaden Castle lie in the foundation of an Augustinian canons' monastery, vowed by Countess Irmingard von Sulzbach. After her death, construction began in 1102 and was steadily advanced from 1112 under the first provost Eberwin. As early as 1122, an initial section of the collegiate church was consecrated. In the late 12th century, a more massive expansion into a Romanesque pillar basilica with presumed first towers followed. The monastery buildings were extended, including a Gothic hall around 1180, Renaissance halls around 1500, and a Baroque south wing in 1725. These buildings also served as the secular residence of the prince-provosts. After secularization in 1803 and changing allegiances, Berchtesgaden fell to the Kingdom of Bavaria in 1810. From 1818, the Bavarian royal house, including Maximilian I, Ludwig I, Maximilian II, and Prince Regent Luitpold, used the castle as a summer residence. From 1922 to 1933, Crown Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria and his family resided in the castle, which today belongs to the Wittelsbacher Ausgleichsfonds.