German ANTIFA burns down historic Thurn-und-Taxis hunting lodge in Bavaria

German ANTIFA members burned down the historic Thurn-und-Taxis hunting lodge in Donaustauf, Bavaria, on the night of October 5 to 6, 2025. The lodge, known as "Jagdhaus Thiergarten," was a private retreat for the Thurn-und-Taxis Princely family, who have roots tracing back to Lombardy in the Middle Ages. By the 16th century, they became the trusted couriers for the House of Habsburg, with Leonhard I von Taxis appointed as Postmaster General, creating a private postal service that laid the groundwork for modern German and Austrian postal systems.

The hunting lodge was built in the late 17th century and expanded in the 1810s to include an animal garden and hunting ground. In 1969, the Thurn-und-Taxis family sold the property to the Golf- und Land-Club Regensburg, which opened it to the public for events.

Authorities initially did not suspect arson until the perpetrators sent a letter to the local police precinct, detailing their actions and motives. The letter stated, “Several fire devices have led to the complete destruction of the castle.” It described the act as a warning to Gloria Fürstin von Thurn und Taxis, criticizing the monarchy and calling for the expropriation of the nobility in Germany. The letter also referenced a 2018 meeting between Fürstin von Thurn und Taxis and Steve Bannon, as well as her anti-abortion views.

This incident highlights ongoing tensions surrounding historical properties and their associations with nobility in Germany.