The sensational discovery was made beneath the grounds of the current castle estate and the premises of the local brewery – right in the center of the village. These findings shed entirely new light on the history of the municipality.
Accidental Find During Construction Leads to Major Archaeological Discovery
During construction work for a new administrative building on the brewery’s premises, unexpected historical structures were unearthed. These turned out to be archaeological remnants of a previously undocumented castle complex. On Tuesday, the discovery was presented to the public at a press conference in Hohenthann.
Evidence of Aristocratic Use – Glassware, Ceramics, and Ornate Stove Tiles Found
As district archaeologist Thomas Richter from the Landshut district told Bayerischer Rundfunk, it is currently impossible to determine the exact size of the castle, since no excavations were allowed under the existing castle building. However, discoveries such as an extremely rare glass vessel from that era, finely crafted ceramics, and high-quality stove tiles clearly indicate an aristocratic household. The artifacts were impressively displayed during the press conference.
Castle Likely Destroyed by a Major Fire During the War of Succession
According to Richter, the archaeological evidence suggests that the castle complex was destroyed by a devastating fire around the year 1500. It was likely destroyed during the Landshut War of Succession (1504–1505), a conflict that ravaged large parts of the region and caused massive destruction.
“Entire villages were burned down, especially in the early stages of the war,” the archaeologist explained. He noted that the evidence of a large fire on the site is unmistakable.
Hohenthann’s Historical Narrative Must Be Redrawn
For District Administrator Peter Dreier (Free Voters), himself a native of Hohenthann, the find is a significant revelation:
“To me, this is not just exciting but also a real joy – history is being rediscovered right here,” he said during the press conference.
Until now, it had been assumed that Hohenthann had only two castles – the current one and its predecessor, known through an engraving by Michael Wening. This assumption must now be revised, as the new finds prove the prior existence of a distinct, earlier castle structure.
“We are literally rewriting the history of our hometown,” – said Dreier.
Castle Owner Surprised – Smooth Cooperation with Archaeologists
For Johannes Rauchenecker, owner of the castle and the brewery, the discovery initially came as a shock:
“At first, it was a real surprise,” – he admitted in an interview with Bayerischer Rundfunk.
The construction work had to be halted at short notice, which posed a threat to the project’s timeline. However, Rauchenecker emphasized that the cooperation with the district office and the archaeologists went smoothly. The finds were quickly documented and secured, causing only a minor delay. Today, he says he is proud that parts of a 500-year-old castle lie beneath his property – opening a new chapter in the history of the town.
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