Wallenburg Castle

The Wallenburg was erected around 1200 to control an ancient road leading from Herrenbreitungen to the Rennsteig pass. Initially located within the sphere of influence of the Herrenbreitungen monastery, the castle gained military significance during the Thuringian-Hessian War of Succession from 1247 onwards and was expanded by the Lords of Frankenstein. Its first documented mention as “Waldenburch” occurred in 1249. Following the decline of the Frankensteins in the late 13th century, the castle changed hands multiple times and became a jointly owned castle, divided and contested by various noble families such as the Hennebergers, Würzburgers, and Schwarzburgers. In the 15th century, the castle gained strategic importance due to the emerging iron mining in the Trusetal. In 1520, Count Wilhelm IV of Henneberg-Schleusingen gained full possession. During the Peasants' War in 1525, the castle was besieged and set ablaze, resulting in destruction.