Schloss Wörth an der Donau

Schloss Wörth an der Donau is a striking castle overlooking the town of Wörth an der Donau, visible when travelling from Regensburg towards Passau. Today, this impressive Renaissance-style castle serves as a senior residence, but its grounds and some parts are still accessible to visitors.

What to do at Schloss Wörth an der Donau

Explore the Courtyards: Wander through the castle grounds and admire the architecture of this well-preserved Renaissance complex. Take your time in the inner courtyard, a peaceful area where residents also enjoy spending time.
Visit the Schlosskirche (Castle Church) St. Martin: This beautiful church, built in 1616, is open to the public.

Schlosskeller (Castle Cellar): This historic cellar is sometimes used as a venue for events. You can find events listed at the website of K.i.W.
Guided Tours: For a more in-depth experience, guided tours are available for groups of 6 or more upon prior arrangement (in German only). Contact the local heritage preservation (Ortsheimatpfleger Wörth an der Donau) for inquiries. You can find contact info at the official website of the town
Enjoy the Views: From the castle hill, take in the beautiful views overlooking the Danube plains towards the Bavarian Forest.

Map

Getting There

Address: Schlossberg 1, 93086 Wörth an der Donau
By Bus: Several regional bus lines serve Wörth an der Donau, connecting it to neighboring cities like Regensburg & Straubing. From Regensburg, you can board bus line 5.

History & Facts

Early Origins: The castle’s history dates back to a refuge castle built around 914.
Renaissance Fortress: The current imposing Renaissance-style castle was constructed between 1522 and 1525 on the foundations of the older structure. It is one of the largest castles in Eastern Bavaria.
Bishops’ Residence: In the 17th century, Schloss Wörth served as a summer residence for the Bishops of Regensburg, who sometimes even relocated their entire seat here.

Historic Moments: In 1806, Prince-Bishop Dalberg signed the Rheinbundakte here, dissolving the Holy Roman Empire. The castle later served as a courthouse and even a railway school.

Photo by Carsten Steger / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Cropped)

Architectural Highlights

Gatehouse: The outer gatehouse from 1605 displays the coat of arms of Prince-Bishop Wolfgang von Hausen.
Residential Tower: The six-story rectangular residential tower, made of quarry stone, dates back to the 13th century, a remnant of the medieval Burg Wörth.

Schlosskapelle: Bishop Albert von Toerring-Stein added the chapel in 1616.
Rondellzimmer: Located in the southwest battery tower, these rooms are adorned with remarkable mythological paintings from the 17th century.

Nearby Attractions

Pestkapelle & Herrnberg: Hike to this hilltop chapel for sweeping views of the Danube and Wörth.
Schloss Wiesent: View the exteriors of this charming castle, located in the adjacent village of Wiesent.
Brennberg Castle Ruins: Explore this medieval fortress 15 km away, part of the “Regensburger Burgensteig” hiking route.
Regensburg Old Town: (approx. 25 km west of Wörth) A UNESCO World Heritage site, Regensburg offers numerous attractions, including the iconic Old Stone Bridge.
Walhalla: This impressive hall of fame honors important figures of German history and offers stunning views of the Danube.
Tip: Combine your visit with a stop at Wörth’s Waldbad (forest pool) for a refreshing swim or winter ice-skating.

Links

Official Website of the senior residence “Pro Seniore”

Credits

Created with data by Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 4.0 & OpenStreetMap / ODbL
Photos in order of appearance: (You can also click on each photo for more info)
1: castles.guide / CC BY 4.0, 2: castles.guide / CC BY 4.0, 3: castles.guide / CC BY 4.0, 4: castles.guide / CC BY 4.0, 5: castles.guide / CC BY 4.0, 6: Photo Details / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Cropped), 7: castles.guide / CC BY 4.0, 8: Photo Details / CC0