Wörthsee Castle

In the south of Mausinsel in Wörthsee stands the Wörthschlössl, built in 1446 by Martin Katzmayr, with the chapel of St. Simpert. The castle formerly served as a summer residence for the Counts of Toerring. A new building was constructed in 1770-72.

Legend

The small island is also popularly known as "Mausinsel" (Mouse Island). According to an old legend, it is called this because many centuries ago, a count lived in the castle near Seefeld who, although he possessed immense wealth, was very hard-hearted. In no other region were the farmers as poor as here. The count squeezed every last bit out of them. One day, when a famine struck the land, a great hunger broke out among the rural population. The count was indifferent to "his people" starving in the streets. On the contrary, he mocked those who were suffering and had nothing to eat and hosted a lavish feast. On the evening the feast took place, many of the poor gathered in front of the count's castle to ask for help. The quick-tempered count became enraged and ordered his guards to let the beggars in and then close the gates. After that, the guards were to drive the poor into a barn, and when this was done, the count gave the order, "Set the barn on fire!" The guards could not believe their ears, but they had to obey the count's command, and so they did as ordered. The barn was set on fire, and the poor burned alive. They pleaded for mercy and for the count to save them from the fiery death, but he only laughed scornfully and answered them, "You wanted me to free you from your hunger!" After some time, the wailing grew softer and softer, and the count said to his guards, "Do you hear the mice and rats whimpering? This vermin will soon be exterminated." He rode back to his castle, but soon it was plagued by a terrible rat infestation that could not be controlled. Since the rats and mice even stole his food from his plate, he fled to the small island in Wörthsee.

Here, he thought, he would be safe from the vermin. But the count was mistaken, for the rats and mice followed him to the island. He could do nothing against the animals, and so it happened as it had to: the rats ate the count alive. Afterwards, they disappeared from the island and from the castle near Seefeld. Since that time, the island in Wörthsee has also been called "Mausinsel".

On it is the Wörthschlössl, built in 1446, which was originally a fortified manor house and later served as a summer residence for the Counts of Toerring. The castle is now privately owned and unfortunately cannot be visited. Like the castle, large parts of the Wörthsee shore are also not publicly accessible. A good three-quarters of the approximately 10 km long shore is used exclusively privately. A small part is closed to the public for ecological reasons. Nevertheless, some municipal bathing areas and designated recreational areas open the lake to local recreation traffic.