Ruine Helfenberg

Velburg, Germany, Germany

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Ruine Helfenberg is the remains of a medieval hilltop castle near Velburg in Bavaria, situated on the 613-meter-high Helfenberg.

The castle was first mentioned in documents between 1198 and 1217 and was originally associated with the Counts of Velburg before passing to various noble families and regional rulers over the centuries. The fortress was damaged during the Landshut War of Succession and later became the property of Count Johann T’Serclaes von Tilly.

Between 1699 and 1707, his descendants transformed the former castle into an impressive Baroque palace decorated by Hans Georg Asam, father of the famous Asam brothers. After being plundered by French troops in 1796, the palace was sold for demolition in 1807 and gradually dismantled, with many of its stones reused in nearby buildings. Today, the ruins consist of surviving walls, foundations, and cellar structures, offering visitors a glimpse into both the medieval castle and the grand Baroque residence that once stood on the site.