Branch museum of the Archäologische Staatssammlung in Grünwald Castle above the Isar valley – castle history and castles in Bavaria to touch and try.
March 27, 2026 – November 15, 2026
The special exhibition takes up Karl Valentin's connection with Burg Grünwald, which he visited regularly towards the end of the Second World War, and places the comedian in the context of the Burgmuseum.
Grünwald Castle stands high above an old Isar river crossing south of Munich. In the 12th century the complex belonged to the Counts of Andechs; in the 13th century it passed to the Wittelsbachs, who used it as a hunting lodge for a long time. Its present appearance essentially goes back to an extension of 1486/87 under Duke Albrecht IV; in 1522 the Bavarian dukes met here for the so-called Grünwald Conference.
From the late 17th century the castle declined in importance and served as a prison and then, until the 19th century, as a gunpowder magazine. Parts of the complex collapsed because the edge of the slope had been undercut, or were removed. When the castle was to make way for a housing project in the 1970s, a citizens' initiative campaigned for its preservation; in 1976 the Free State of Bavaria bought the site.
Since 1979 the Archäologische Staatssammlung has operated a branch museum here. The permanent exhibition tells the roughly thousand-year history of the castle and presents other castles from the Isar valley and all over Bavaria – from early medieval refuge castles to the romantic knight's castle. Hands-on stations and staged scenes introduce visitors to everyday life in the Middle Ages.
Regular Sunday tours, family programmes by the Museumspädagogisches Zentrum and event days in the castle courtyard round out the offer; there is a special connection to Karl Valentin, who immortalised the castle in his song about the “oiden Rittersleit”.
| Adults | €2.50 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €1Persons with severe disabilities and students |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Children and pupils under 18 free |
| Visitors with disabilities | €1 |
| Students & apprentices | €1Pupils under 18 free |
| Groups (15+ people) | €1 per personper person for groups of 15 or more |
| Sunday admission | €1 |
| Castle tower | €1currently closed |
| Sunday tour (plus admission) | €2.50 |
| Annual pass | €45valid for Grünwald Castle as well as the permanent and special exhibitions of the Archäologische Staatssammlung |
Different admission prices apply during special exhibitions. Online tickets in the webshop of the Archäologische Staatssammlung.
Because of the historic building fabric, the castle museum is only partially accessible.
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
|---|
Hands-on stations on life in the castle; family programmes with the MPZ, children's workshops and family-friendly event days in the castle courtyard. Children and young people under 18 have free admission.
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
In summer coffee, cake and drinks in the castle courtyard; museum shop at the castle ticket office with books, toys, souvenirs and Grünwald castle honey, among other things.
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Public guided tour without registration every two weeks on Sunday at 2 p.m. (meeting point: castle ticket office). Private tours, children's birthday parties and programmes for school classes and daycare groups via the Museumspädagogisches Zentrum (MPZ). |
