Schloss Kaltenberg
Schloss Kaltenberg is a historic castle and hospitality destination in Geltendorf, Bavaria, associated with the König Ludwig Schlossbrauerei and the Kaltenberg Knights' Tournament.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Schloss Kaltenberg is a castle in the village of Geltendorf in Upper Bavaria, Germany. The site is associated with the Bavarian royal family and is currently under the proprietorship of Prince Luitpold of Bavaria, a great-grandson of Ludwig III, the last king of Bavaria. Although the property is sometimes encountered in connection with beer and hospitality, the canonical subject is the castle and its associated estate rather than a standalone consumer-goods corporation. The castle was originally built in 1292 by Rudolf I, Duke of Bavaria. Its early history was shaped by conflict and changes in ownership. A family feud led to its destruction in 1320, after which it was rebuilt in 1425 by the Augsburg patrician Peter Rehlinger. In 1468 the property passed to the Hundt zu Lautterbach family. The historian Wiguläus Hundt was born there in 1514, adding a cultural and historical dimension to the site. Ownership and use changed repeatedly over subsequent centuries. The Jesuits assumed the property in 1612, and Swedish forces destroyed the castle during the Thirty Years' War in 1633. In 1781 the Knights of Malta assumed ownership. A brewery was established at the castle in 1870, and the building was renovated in a neo-Gothic style that largely defines its present appearance. The brewery became an important part of the site's modern identity. Around 1920, the castle brewery joined the Unionbrewery in Munich, which was owned by brewer Josef Schülein. The Schülein family left Germany during the war and returned in 1948 to reclaim its property. In 1955, Schülein heirs sold the castle to Princess Irmingard of Bavaria, the mother of Prince Luitpold. The estate subsequently became closely connected with the modern Bavarian princely family's brewing and hospitality activities. Today, part of the König Ludwig Schlossbrauerei operates at Schloss Kaltenberg. The brewery is reported to produce more than 100,000 hectolitres of beer at the site, representing roughly one-quarter to one-third of the company's overall production. Prince Luitpold of Bavaria is identified as the brewery's chief executive, and members of his family reside at the castle. The property also contains a ballroom used for events and two restaurants. The castle's most prominent public attraction is the Kaltenberger Ritterturnier, a medieval-themed knights' tournament. The event draws more than 100,000 visitors annually and gives Schloss Kaltenberg a role beyond brewing: it functions as a heritage venue, visitor attraction, event location and hospitality destination. Its positioning therefore combines Bavarian dynastic heritage, historic architecture, beer culture and staged medieval entertainment.
History
Schloss Kaltenberg is a castle in Geltendorf, Upper Bavaria, whose documented history begins with its construction in 1292 by Rudolf I, Duke of Bavaria. The building was destroyed during a family feud in 1320 and reconstructed in 1425 by Peter Rehlinger, a patrician from Augsburg. In 1468 it was sold to the Hundt zu Lautterbach family. The historian Wiguläus Hundt was born at the castle in 1514. The estate later passed through several ecclesiastical and military periods. The Jesuits assumed ownership in 1612, while Swedish forces destroyed the castle during the Thirty Years' War in 1633. The Knights of Malta took over the property in 1781. A significant change occurred in 1870, when a brewery was founded at the castle and the building was renovated in the neo-Gothic style. That architectural treatment remains central to the castle's current appearance. Around 1920, the castle brewery became part of the Unionbrewery in Munich, owned by brewer Josef Schülein. The Schülein family fled to the United States because of the war, but returned in 1948 and reclaimed its property. In 1955, the Schülein heirs sold Schloss Kaltenberg to Princess Irmingard of Bavaria, who was the mother of Prince Luitpold of Bavaria. The property is now associated with Prince Luitpold and the König Ludwig Schlossbrauerei. More than 100,000 hectolitres of beer are reportedly produced at the castle brewery, amounting to approximately one-quarter to one-third of the brewery's total production. The castle also serves as a residence, hospitality site and event venue, with a ballroom and two restaurants. Its largest public event is the Kaltenberger Ritterturnier, a knights' tournament attracting more than 100,000 visitors each year. Schloss Kaltenberg therefore operates as both a historical monument and a contemporary destination linked to Bavarian beer, tourism and entertainment.
- 1955
Castle sold to Princess Irmingard of Bavaria
[1]The Schülein heirs sold Schloss Kaltenberg to Princess Irmingard of Bavaria.
- 1948
Schülein family returns and reclaims property
[1]After leaving Germany during the war, the Schülein family returned and claimed its property.
- 1920
Castle brewery joins Munich Unionbrewery
[1]Around this period, the castle brewery joined the Unionbrewery in Munich under brewer Josef Schülein.
- 1900
Lorenzo Quaglio becomes owner
[1]The painter Lorenzo Quaglio assumed ownership and lived at the castle, producing paintings of the building and surrounding area.
- 1870
Brewery founded and castle renovated
[1]A brewery was established at Schloss Kaltenberg, and the castle was renovated in the neo-Gothic style.
- 1781
Knights of Malta assume ownership
[1]The Knights of Malta took ownership of the estate.
- 1633
Castle destroyed during the Thirty Years' War
[1]Swedish forces destroyed the castle during the Thirty Years' War.
- 1612
Jesuit ownership
[1]The Jesuits assumed ownership of the property.
- 1468
Transferred to the Hundt zu Lautterbach family
[1]Schloss Kaltenberg was sold to the House of Hundt zu Lautterbach.
- 1425
Castle rebuilt
[1]The Augsburg patrician Peter Rehlinger rebuilt the castle.
Products and positioning
A Bavarian heritage destination combining a historic castle, royal-family associations, beer production, restaurants, events and a large medieval-themed knights' tournament.
Beer · 1870
König Ludwig Schlossbrauerei beer
Beer is produced at the brewery housed partly within Schloss Kaltenberg. The site is reported to produce more than 100,000 hectolitres annually, representing approximately one-quarter to one-third of the brewery's total production. The available reference identifies the brewing operation but does not provide a complete list of beer labels or styles.
Hospitality
Castle hospitality and events
Schloss Kaltenberg offers two restaurants and a ballroom used for events. These facilities extend the property beyond its historical and brewing functions and support its role as a visitor and hospitality destination.
Heritage entertainment
Kaltenberger Ritterturnier
The Kaltenberger Ritterturnier is a medieval-themed knights' tournament held at the castle. It is the property's principal public attraction and reportedly draws more than 100,000 visitors annually.
Sources1 sources
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