May 5, 2026, 2:40 pm | Read time: 2 minutes
Just 100 km east of Munich and 50 km north of Salzburg lies the longest castle complex in the world–and it’s even listed in the Guinness Book of Records. TRAVELBOOK knows how this gigantic castle came to be.
Germany is home to numerous castles and palaces. But did you know that the longest castle in the world is located here, in Burghausen, Bavaria? It was built almost 1,000 years ago, in 1255. At that time, it was intended to be the secondary residence of the Lower Bavarian dukes from the Wittelsbach family, who primarily resided in Landshut, about 80 kilometers away.
Eleven-Meter-High Walls
As a fortress of such a significant noble family, it was built with particular care. The castle, with its eleven-meter-high walls and five outer courtyards complete with additional walls and moats, was impregnable. It was long considered the strongest fortress in the entire country and was never actually taken. This was also due to its unique location, as the castle sits directly above the Salzach River.
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The Best View from the Castle
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From there, above the river, you still get an excellent view of the region today. This is said to be the reason why the dukes continued to expand Burghausen Castle until it eventually reached the world record length of 1,051 meters. The castle lords funded this expansion with money from the salt trade they conducted.
Stick to Designated Paths
While salt as a source of wealth in Burghausen has long since dried up, the region has found a new economic driver: the chemical industry, which has been operating here for nearly 100 years. This has also made Burghausen, with its population of just 18,700, one of the wealthiest communities in Bavaria. Approximately nine billion euros are generated annually here from chemical products.
However, from the top of the castle, you won’t see any trace of Burghausen’s chemical empire. Up there, it feels like you’re strolling through a picturesque village. But be careful: Anyone walking around should stick to the designated paths. People still live in the castle today–though they are no longer nobles and their court, but rather the residents of the nearly 50 private apartments within the fortress.