The best MTB trails around Schmidmühlen

Upper Castle The Upper Castle was built as a moated castle by the Lords of Schmidmühlen. From the mid-12th century, they are documented here, starting with Ernst von Schmidmühlen (1166–1170). Georg Hausner von Winbuch (1595–1614), administrator in Regenstauf, was the builder of the present castle. The year 1600 is located on one of the magnificent door frames of the Knights' Hall. The Upper Castle is a three-story, plastered, solid building with a gable roof. An octagonal stair tower is attached, and another extension to the west. In this castle, there was also a small chapel on the ground floor, which, however, has long been filled in and walled up. At the top of the tower is a round ceiling, painted with flowers and rosettes, supported by a delicate wooden column. The entire second upper floor belongs, due to its furnishings, to the most interesting holdings of the German Renaissance. The profane wall paintings located there are reminiscent of those in the ducal castle Trausnitz in Landshut. During the Second World War and afterwards, the Upper Castle suffered greatly from billeting by the occupying forces. Thus, a valuable ceramic stove was destroyed on the second floor. In 1937, the castle came into the possession of the market town of Schmidmühlen. Since the post-war period, the castle has served the market town of Schmidmühlen as its town hall. Between 1977 and 1980, a thorough restoration took place, during which the castle and also the castle garden changed their appearance. The renovation was completed in 2003. The local history and association museum of Schmidmühlen is also housed in the castle. In front of the castle, on the well, stands the cast image of a Moriskentänzer, reminiscent of the Schmidmühlen sculptor Erasmus Grasser, who created the famous late Gothic Moriskentänzer for the festival hall in the Old Town Hall of Munich. Source: Wikipedia

Raitenbuch Castle In Kallmünz, this former castle estate was owned by the von Raitenbuch family. In 1341, Louis the Bavarian freed his steward, Heinrich von Raidenbuch, and granted him the right to seal documents with red wax. The noble residence is mentioned in the Palatinate-Neuburg land register of 1514. In 1283, Kallmünz became the seat of a regional court (Landgericht) of the Duchy of Upper Bavaria, which had been established in 1255. The regional court convened in Raitenbuch Castle. Since the necessary offices for judges and court officials first had to be built, records of this regional court do not begin until 1323. The court building also included a court official's house with a prison. Regional judges serving here are documented from 1300 onward. The list begins with Hainrich von Sigenheim around 1300 and ends with Franz Sigmund Freiherr von Wildenau in 1772. Raitenbuch Castle was acquired by the market town of Kallmünz from the lord of the manor, von Fleischmann zu Markstetten, in 1806 and adapted as a school building. The prison was sold to a private individual. In the 1990s, the municipality of Kallmünz used the castle for social housing. Today, the renovated building is used as a hotel. The renovated building received the Hypo Cultural Foundation's Heritage Award in 2013. In 1805, the street-side entrance with its external staircase, which is still preserved today, was created. In 1885, the building was raised by one story to create additional classrooms. Raitenbuch Castle is therefore a four-story hipped-roof building with a corner oriel window. It features 17th-century stucco decoration. The ground floor was built directly on bedrock. The ground floor contains vaulted ceilings. Source: Excerpts from www.wikipedia.de

Raitenbuch Castle (sometimes simply called Raitenbuch House) is a listed building at Vilsgasse 10 in the Upper Palatinate market town of Kallmünz, in the Regensburg district (Bavaria). Today, a small, fine boutique hotel with a long history. This former castle estate in Kallmünz was owned by the Raitenbuch family. In 1341, Ludwig the Bavarian exempted his court master, Heinrich von Raidenbuch, from tax, raiß (= military campaign), and blacksmithing, granting him the right to seal with red wax. ... In 1804, the 15 district courts of Palatinate-Neuburg were reduced to eight, and Kallmünz was merged with Burglengenfeld. Raitenbuch Castle was acquired by the market town of Kallmünz in 1806 from the lord of the manor, von Fleischmann zu Markstetten, and converted into a school building. The Keuche (church) was sold to a private individual. In the 1990s, the municipality of Kallmünz used the castle for social housing. Today, the renovated building serves as a hotel. The renovated building received the Hypo Cultural Foundation's Monument Prize in 2013. The street-side entrance with the external staircase, which still stands today, was created in 1805. In 1885, the building was raised by a story to create additional classrooms. Raitenbuch Castle is therefore a four-story hipped-roof structure with a corner bay window. It features stucco detailing (base rustication with parapet panels and corner pilasters) dating from the 17th century. The basement was built directly on natural rock. The ground floor features vaulted ceilings. Source: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raitenbucher_Schloss

The summit offers seating, an information board, and a beautiful view. More information at: https://peakhunter.com/de/peaks/rechenfels

The river is called Lauterach

A slightly different Nepomuk than usual

This team of oxen is very beautiful

a nice idea, hang watering cans on the tree