Randeck Castle

The origins of Randeck Castle likely date back to the 12th century. The first documented mention appears in 1202, when Heinrich von Randeck is named as a royal citizen, possibly a grandson of Ulrich von Wartenberg. The line of the Lords of Randeck continued with Gottfried I in 1231, followed by his grandson Dietrich von Randeck in 1298, and Georg von Randeck in 1311. Eberhard von Randeck, who later became dean of the cathedral and elected bishop of Speyer, also hailed from here. In 1649, Emperor Ferdinand III granted the castle to the Teutonic Knight Hans Ludwig von Lewenstein. After the Lewensteiner line died out, Randeck fell to Nikolaus Georg Reigersberg, the Mainz chancellor, in 1668. During the War of the Palatine Succession in 1690, the castle was stormed and blown up by French troops.