Neufraunhofen can be explored through its castle history: the castle, castle church, votive chapel and park bring together building phases from several centuries. One special detail is the altarpiece in the castle church: it depicts the Virgin Mary wearing a unique mantle embroidered with straw.

Castle Church and Building History

Neufraunhofen Castle was built starting in 1393. The Catholic castle church of St. John the Baptist and the Immaculate Conception dates back to an early Gothic structure from around 1409. The nave and west choir were rebuilt in the Baroque style in 1709/14; around 1753, the façade and tower were given a Rococo design. The church therefore reveals several distinct periods: its Gothic origins, the Baroque rebuilding of the nave and west choir, and the later design of the façade and tower. If you enjoy viewing architectural history in chronological order, this sequence offers a clear comparison between Gothic, Baroque and Rococo styles.

Other buildings complete the picture. West of the castle church stands the former Capuchin hospice, a simple rectangular brick building with a pitched roof, dating from 1716/17. The castle park contains the votive chapel, a Neo-Gothic brick building with a roof turret and pointed spire from around 1880. The hospice and chapel thus differ both in design and in when they were built. Together with the altarpiece, these details lead from architecture to church art, without reducing all the individual sights to the same period.

Castle Park, Stables and Access

The castle park is a Baroque design. It was expanded in 1830/40 and again between 1880 and 1914. This distinction is helpful when placing it in context: the Baroque design and its later expansion phases belong to different periods in the garden’s history. The former uses of the castle complex can also be traced. The former cattle and horse stable was built in 1754; its comprehensive renovation and conversion were completed in 2009.

Access to the castle church is through the castle courtyard; in 1921, a church foundation made it accessible to the public. Check current access arrangements if you are planning a visit to the church. The restored stables and the castle courtyard around the lilac rondel have their own visitor requirement: they can only be visited by prior arrangement. Take this restriction into account when planning so that you do not assume the castle’s history and visiting arrangements are one and the same.

Events and Nearby Excursion

Thanks to its good acoustics, the Marstall can accommodate even large gatherings for celebrations, lectures or markets. The Fraunhofen Hall on the upper floor can seat up to 200 people for a buffet and dancing. This describes how the rooms can be used; it is not a current event calendar. The Neufraunhofen Friends’ Association holds an Advent market at the castle every two years. Various events are also held in the castle church as part of this programme. If you would like to plan your trip around the Advent market, check the specific dates in advance.

Another option nearby is Burglochschanze, east of Neufraunhofen, near Velden. From the recommended parking area, an approximately 800-metre walk leads there; sturdy footwear is recommended. Parking arrangements may change, so it is worth checking before setting out. This lets you combine a visit to the castle complex with an additional walk in the surrounding area, without treating the two destinations as one continuous tour.

For the broader travel overview: Velden.