Burgruine Hofberg

Greding, Germany

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Burgruine Hofberg, also known as Schloss Hofberg, is a hill castle ruin near Greding in Bavaria, Germany, built in the early 13th century by the von Mässingen family, ministeriales of the Counts of Hirschberg.

It was first recorded in 1281 and served as an administrative center and protection for a trade route through the Schwarzachtal. In 1285, ownership passed to the Teutonic Order, and in 1465, it was acquired by the Prince-Bishop of Eichstätt, who made it a summer residence and fortified it significantly by 1490. During the German Peasants' War in 1525, the castle was plundered but not destroyed.

It was later transformed into a residential palace around 1670 by Bishop Marquard. After secularization in 1803, it became private property and parts were demolished or repurposed for housing, though substantial medieval and late medieval fortifications remain. The castle stands on a hillside with a distinctive defensive layout including a second ring wall with round corner towers and is currently accessible to visitors with ongoing preservation efforts.