Burg Kirchberg

Burg Kirchberg stands on a hill above the village of Kirchberg in Hohenthann, Niederbayern. The present building dates from the 14th century, though the site began as a Roman fort in 292 and later became the seat of the Kirchberg counts. After the counts died out in 1234, the dukes of Bavaria-Landshut made it a centre for administration and justice. A round brick curtain wall still surrounds the castle, and the keep measures ten by ten and a half metres with walls three metres thick. Inside the keep is the castle chapel of St Leonard, reached from the ground floor. The chapel occupies the basement level of the keep, showing how defence and worship were combined. In the 1990s the owners restored the whole complex and were awarded the Hypo-Kulturstiftung prize for their work. The circular brick wall and massive keep survive almost unchanged since the 14th century. Visitors walk round the curtain wall and enter the courtyard where the keep rises above the chapel entrance. The chapel’s interior is simple, with medieval features still visible. From the top of the keep there are wide views over the surrounding countryside. The garden terraces beside the chapel add a quiet place to rest. The whole site is recognised as a protected monument and offers a clear picture of a medieval castle still in use today.