Rabeneck Castle

The first documented mention of Rabeneck Castle occurred in 1257, when witnesses such as Siboto and Chunrad de Rabeneck were named. It is believed that the castle was built around 1250 by a branch of the Lords of Rabenstein as a free-owned complex, with the name "Rabe" indicating its origin from the Rabenstein family. Unlike Rabenstein Castle, Rabeneck did not belong to the Waischenfeld lordship of the Schlüsselbergs, although they held shares in the castle. After the death of Konrad von Schlüsselberg in 1347, his heirs sold their share to the Diocese of Bamberg in 1348. By 1353, the castle was entirely owned by the Rabensteins. From 1388, Rabeneck belonged to the Lords of Stiebar, who granted the Burgraves of Nuremberg a right of access. During the War of the Cities in 1388, the castle was captured by Bamberg forces. In 1525, Rabeneck fell victim to the Peasants' War and was burned down, but rebuilt by 1535.