Meistersel Castle

The first documented mention of Meistersel Castle dates back to the year 1100, when Bishop Johann I of Speyer transferred it to the diocese. Its exact origin is presumed to be in the 11th century. By the end of the 12th century, it attained the status of an imperial castle and served to protect Trifels Imperial Castle. The knightly family of Meistersel, whose members served as castle bailiffs, named themselves after it. After the male line of the family died out in 1277, the castle reverted to King Rudolf of Habsburg, who enfeoffed it to the Lords of Ochsenstein around 1300. In the mid-14th century, Meistersel became a Ganerbenburg, with up to eight noble families holding shares in it.