Weckenstein Castle (Ruin)

The founding of Weckenstein Castle is dated before 1150. The Weckenstein family, whose exact social standing is uncertain, shaped its early history. Knight Burkhard von Weckenstein appeared in 1212 as the founder of the Cistercian monastery of Wald. Later, between 1227 and 1233, he had the castle built while serving Emperor Frederick II. Burkhard and other members of the Weckenstein family were mentioned as witnesses in various 13th-century documents. With the last mention of a Weckensteiner in 1382 and the extinction of the lineage, the castle began to decline, being referred to as a “Burgstall” (castle site) as early as 1410 or 1460. A pilgrim badge from the 12th to 13th century found near the castle suggests its importance in medieval pilgrimages.