Best castles around Pfatter offer a glimpse into the region's rich history and diverse landscapes. Located in Bavaria, Pfatter is surrounded by the Danube River and features a mix of historical sites and natural beauty. The area provides opportunities to explore ancient ruins and well-preserved castles, often situated on hilltops or near waterways. These historical structures are integrated into the local environment, making them accessible for various types of exploration.
Last updated: May 9, 2026
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Few remains of the ruins, but very beautiful and photogenic.
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Köfering Castle The first moated castle on the Pfatter was probably built in the 12th century. The Köfering family was first mentioned in the middle of the 12th century. Around 1300, the castle was owned by Eckprecht von Haidau, who gave it to the Bishopric of Regensburg in 1307 in order to receive it as a fief from the bishop. Other owners of the castle were Otto Zenger, Albrecht von Abensberg, Heinrich Nothaft von Mangolding and Scheuer. In 1427, Dietrich von Stauf took over the castle in Köfering by exchange. On December 26, 1491, the Köfering fortress was besieged and destroyed by the Bavarian Duke Albrecht IV with 1,000 soldiers during the Löwler League uprising, in which the castle owner Hieronymus von Stauf took part. The Counts of Lerchenfeld have owned the moated castle since 1569. The castle was damaged in the Thirty Years' War and rebuilt in its current form from 1680 to 1720. Renovation began in 1980/81. The moated castle is an irregular, baroque, three-storey three-wing complex with mansard hipped roofs, an entrance projection with portal, ground floor arcades and a staircase with a mansard hipped roof. The White Hall with inlaid parquet and the chapel are worth seeing. The castle complex consists of a central projection, to which only a north wing is connected. To the west there is another wing with protruding corner projections, and to the south the one-storey former stable building is attached. A three-arched stone bridge leads over the walled moat, which is still preserved, and is the only access to the castle. Source: Excerpts from www.wikipedia.de
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Heilsberg Castle Ruins In the last third of the 12th century, Ulrich and Wernhardus from Heilsberg appeared in documents for the first time. Since Ulrich's successor Ekbert, they were also vassals of Eggmühl and fiefs of the Bavarian duke. They were thus in the middle of the power struggle between the Wittelsbach dukes and the Regensburg bishops. In a contract, Duke Ludwig of Kelheim had to give up a castle that was already under construction near Heilsberg, which the Heilsbergers were obviously supposed to receive as a fief. Over the course of the 13th century, Ekbert and his son Ulrich repeatedly tried to use their bailiwick rights to alienate property from the bishop. The bishop accused them of forcing their subjects to perform unjust feudal labor in order to illegally expand their castle. In addition, the Heilsbergers had bloody feuds with the Paulsdorfers and with Konrad von Hohenfels. In the first third of the 14th century, the male line of Heilsberg died out, followed by a series of owners, including the powerful Upper Palatinate knightly family of Notthafft. It was not until around 1500 that the Wittelsbachs were finally able to take over the Heilsberg domain, and in 1505 it was assigned to the Palatinate-Neuburg line. The castle was probably already abandoned in the 16th century, and on Apian's map of 1568 it is already marked as a ruin. A local support group has recently been working to save the ruins. The most striking remains of the castle are the keep, which dates from around 1200 and has a side length of 7.5 meters with 2.5 m thick walls. This is evidenced by its masonry, which consists of smooth blocks and humped blocks with 5 to 10 centimetre wide edges; the ring wall fragment with the archway is so deep in the ground that it is almost impossible to date it. Among the later extensions to the castle that are known to have been made, there is also a new gate in 1498. In 1474, a new bridge and a new gate were built. In 1498, the castle was repaired after a fire, and work on the bower, the new parlor and the stables is known to have been carried out. Recently, the keep has been secured and renovated at great expense, and the buried interior of the tower has also been uncovered. The extremely deep, almost circumferential moat separates the castle grounds from the Heilsberg plateau on two sides. Source: Extracts from www.burgenseite.de / www./burgen/detail/burgruine-heilsberg/178
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Well-preserved moated castle in the countryside
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Somehow a mystical-looking place
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Awesome 🔨 view from the castle to Donaustauf and into the distance to the Regensburg Cathedral on one side and on the other side to Walhalla and Scheuchenberg
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Among the most popular castles are the Ruins of Donaustauf Castle, which offers panoramic views over the Danube and Walhalla. Other highly-rated sites include Brennberg Castle, known for its watch tower views, and Heilsberg Castle Ruins, featuring preserved wall fragments and a deep moat.
Yes, several castles in the area are suitable for families. Brennberg Castle is considered family-friendly, offering an accessible ruin with a watch tower. Köfering Castle, a well-preserved moated castle with beautiful palace gardens, also provides a pleasant experience for families.
For breathtaking panoramic views, the Ruins of Donaustauf Castle is an excellent choice. Perched on a hilltop, it overlooks the Danube River and the Bavarian landscape, including distant views of Walhalla. Brennberg Castle also provides magnificent views of Brennberg and the surrounding area from its watch tower.
The region is rich in history. The Ruins of Donaustauf Castle has origins dating back to a Celtic fort from around 500 BC, with a castle built there between 914 and 930 AD. Köfering Castle is a well-preserved moated castle with a history stretching back to the 12th century. Wörth an der Donau Castle, originally a medieval castle from around 1200, was rebuilt in Renaissance style and is one of the largest and most preserved castles in Eastern Bavaria.
The Ruins of Donaustauf Castle is easily accessible by car, bike, or on foot, with an ascent from the center via stairs. It's open during daylight hours and entry is free, making it a peaceful and accessible spot for exploration. Köfering Castle, a moated castle, also offers beautiful grounds that are pleasant for easy walks.
The area around Pfatter offers various outdoor activities. You can find numerous routes for cycling and gravel biking, such as the 'Wörth Castle – View of Schloss Wörth loop' or the 'View of the Walhalla – Falkenstein Cycle Path loop'. There are also hiking opportunities, including the 'Pfatter Market Square – Pfatterer Au loop'. You can explore more routes on the Gravel biking around Pfatter, Cycling around Pfatter, and Hiking around Pfatter guide pages.
While castles can be visited year-round, the palace gardens of Köfering Castle are particularly stunning in summer. The Ruins of Donaustauf Castle, with its panoramic views, is enjoyable during daylight hours, and especially beautiful at sunset, making spring, summer, and early autumn ideal for comfortable exploration and photography.
Yes, guided tours are available for groups at Wörth an der Donau Castle by prior arrangement. These tours offer a deeper understanding of its history and notable features, including its Renaissance architecture and the Schlosskirche St. Martin.
Visitors frequently appreciate the historical significance and the stunning views offered by these castles. Many enjoy exploring the well-preserved architecture, such as the moated Köfering Castle, and the tangible connection to history provided by ruins like Donaustauf Castle. The opportunities for integrating castle visits into hikes or bike tours are also highly valued.
While the main highlights are popular, exploring some of the lesser-known ruins or visiting during off-peak hours can offer a more tranquil experience. The Heilsberg Castle Ruins, though not much remains, is described as an 'enchanted ruin' and can be a nice, less crowded detour on a tour.
The time needed varies by castle. For the Ruins of Donaustauf Castle, you can typically explore the site and enjoy the views for an hour or two. Larger castles or those offering guided tours, like Wörth an der Donau Castle, might require more time, especially if you wish to explore the grounds thoroughly.


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