Dachau Castle
Dachau Castle
Around 1100 a fortress was built on the Giglberg hill in Mitterndorf by counts named after the town of Dachau. Konrad III, the last Count of Dachau, died without an heir in 1182. Shortly afterwards, Duke Otto I of Wittelsbach took over the Dachau fortress and properties. The fortress of the dukes was destroyed in 1398 and 1403 and was replaced in the years 1546-1573 by a four-wing Renaissance castle with a castle garden on the 504 m high castle hill. An original commemorative stone in the vestibule still bears the name of the builders: Duke Wilhelm IV and his son Duke Albrecht V.
Renaissance Ceiling
The castle became the preferred country residence of the Munich court. Prince Elector Max Emanuel, who was especially fond of Dachau, ordered Joseph Effner to remodel the southwest wing in the baroque style from 1715 to 1717. With no money for repairs, Max Joseph, the first king of Bavaria, decided to tear down three severely damaged wings of the castle in the early 19th century. At times even used as a storage facility, only the southwest wing remained, including the former ballroom.
The famous wooden Renaissance ceiling by the carver Hans Wisreutter survived demolition, as did the grisaille painting by Hans Thonauer. The Renaissance ceiling was transferred in 1868, however, to the Bavarian National Museum and was only brought back to its original location in 1977.
The castle has been used for exhibitions of the Dachau Artists' Association since 1908. Today, it hosts concerts of international acclaim.
The castle garden offers a breathtaking panoramic view of Munich all the way to the Alps.
Kurfürst-Max-Emanuel-Platz
85221 Dachau
Tel. 08131 - 87923
Fax. 08131 - 78573
Hours:
daily, except Monday, Okt - March 10 AM - 4 PM; April - Sept. 9AM - 6PM
Guided tours: please refer to the Tourist-Information Office
The concert program is available from the Dachau Tourist-Information (Tel. 08131/75286).
The ballroom may be rented for weddings and other events upon request. Further information is available from the Dachau Castle Administration (Tel.: 08131/87923) or by calling the Café-Restaurant Schloss Dachau (Tel.: 08131/4543660).
Transportation:
Bus 720/722 (Rathaus)
http://www.schloesser.bayern.de
Email: info@bsv.bayern.de
