Waldeck Castel (Ruin)

Waldeck Castle was built in the second half of the 13th century by Conrad II. von Strahlenberg, a member of the noble Strahlenberg family. This family, whose ancestral seat was Strahlenburg Castle, established a small dominion in the Steinach Valley. After 1291, Bishop Eberhard of Worms enfeoffed his nephew Conrad III. von Strahlenberg with extensive territories in the Steinach Valley. Conrad III. used this to establish clearance settlements between 1293 and 1316, which were consolidated into the Waldeck dominion. In 1301, Conrad's widow and sons opened Waldeck and Strahlenberg castles to Count Palatine Ruprecht and granted him a right of first refusal, but by 1310, the castle was pledged to the Bishopric of Worms.