Equalization fund buys Bullachberg Castle

The Wittelsbacher Ausgleichsfonds has purchased Bullachberg Castle, which is located not far from the world-famous Neuschwanstein Castle. The foundation now owns another historic property in Schwangau in the Allgäu region alongside its prestigious Hohenschwangau Castle. The property, which was built in 1907 and consists of several vacation apartments and other buildings, is to be rented out in future, the foundation announced on Thursday. Parts of the 19 hectares of agricultural land belonging to the castle are to be leased out.

"We are very pleased to be able to take advantage of the unique opportunity to purchase the land and the country house and to complement and round off our existing portfolio at the location in a meaningful way," said Michael Kuemmerle, Chairman of the Management Board of the Wittelsbacher Ausgleichsfonds. The fund was set up by the Free State in 1923 after the end of the Bavarian monarchy. On the one hand, the foundation is intended to preserve the cultural heritage of the House of Wittelsbach. On the other hand, the members of the House of Wittelsbach still receive millions from the compensation fund every year.

The municipality of Schwangau has responded positively to the signed purchase agreement. The previous owner had restored the castle in an exemplary manner and managed it sustainably, said Mayor Stefan Rinke (CSU). "With the Wittelsbach Equalization Fund as a foundation under public law, the property is once again in good hands." Together with the two Bavarian royal castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau, Bullachberg forms a world-famous ensemble of monuments, said the head of the town hall.

In addition to the Bullachberg and Hohenschwangau castles, the foundation also owns a hotel and the Museum of the Bavarian Kings in Schwangau. The famous fairytale castle Neuschwanstein, the most famous building of the Bavarian King Ludwig II, is owned by the Free State of Bavaria.

Castle Bullachberg was last owned by a farmer for just over a decade. There has recently been repeated speculation about the planned sale. It was previously temporarily owned by car manufacturer Porsche. The Stuttgart-based sports car manufacturer wanted to build a high-quality hotel for customers and conferences on the site of the property, which was already owned by the Thurn und Taxis family. However, the planned conversion fell through at the time.