The authorities of Bavaria intend to sell the historic penitentiary unit in Neuburg an der Donau, which was closed last year. The facility, parts of which date back to the 16th century, was no longer cost-effective to maintain. The official sale will begin within the next few weeks, and the state-owned enterprise "Immobilien Freistaat Bayern" has already confirmed interest from potential buyers.

Closure for Economic Reasons

The prison was closed in 2025 after an analysis showed that its continued operation within the modern system was not purposeful and uneconomical.

Historic Architecture for Sale

The complex consists of three historic buildings, including a former court riding hall from 1577, where inmates produced toys.

Official Procedure Within Weeks

The state property manager announced that the formal sales proceedings will begin in the coming weeks.

Centuries-Old History of the Location

The site has a rich history dating back to the Renaissance, associated with the Wittelsbach dynasty, and served as a prison for the last centuries.

The authorities of the federal state of Bavaria have decided to sell the historic prison complex in the city of Neuburg an der Donau. The facility, officially known as Justizvollzugsanstalt (JVA) Neuburg, was closed last year following an analysis by the Ministry of Justice. The decision was justified by economic reasons and the need to adapt to modern prison standards.

The buildings within the prison complex have a centuries-old history. The oldest of them, a former court riding hall, dates from 1577 and was built during the reign of the Wittelsbachs, the dynastic rulers of Bavaria. Over the centuries, the complex changed functions, ultimately becoming a prison in modern times. As reported by the state-owned enterprise Immobilien Freistaat Bayern, the formal sales procedure will begin within the next few weeks. According to information provided to the media, the first parties interested in purchasing this unusual property have already come forward. The complex consists of three main buildings of different architectural provenance, which constitutes both its historical value and an adaptive challenge.

1577 — Year of construction of the oldest part of the complex The sales offer includes the entire historic ensemble. It comprises the aforementioned Renaissance riding hall, which housed a workshop during the prison's operation. According to reports from Bavarian Broadcasting, inmates produced, among other things, toy cars there. The site also includes a chapel. The prison character is still emphasized by preserved elements such as barred windows, door grilles, and barbed wire fences. The decision to sell stems directly from an assessment conducted by the Bavarian Ministry of Justice. In its official justification, the ministry stated that „„der Weiterbetrieb der JVA Neuburg a.d. Donau im Rahmen eines zeitgemäßen Gesamtkonzepts für den bayerischen Justizvollzug sowie einer sparsamen Haushaltsführung nicht sinnvoll ist”” — Bavarian Ministry of Justice. This means that maintaining a small, historic facility was no longer justified either functionally or financially.

The sales process for this type of property is complex due to the specific nature of the real estate and its location in the historic city center.