Wald Castle

The origins of Wald Castle date back to the early 13th century when a castle was erected on this site. It formed the center of the Wald lordship, which encompassed Garching as well as the present-day municipalities of Feichten, Kirchweidach, Halsbach, and parts of Burgkirchen. The Lords of Wald, a ministerial family from Salzburg and Bavaria, held important offices, such as bailiffs in Reichenhall or judges in Trostberg. After their lineage died out in the early 14th century, the Wald lordship became Bavarian. From 1508, the Lords von der Leiter, descendants of the Upper Italian della Scala, resided at the castle. Between 1602 and 1736, it was owned by the Counts of Wartenberg. Following the death of the young Count of Wartenberg in 1730, the Wald lordship became a cabinet lordship and was granted to various noble families, including the Fuggers. The independent administration of the lordship continued until 1803.