Wildenstein Castle (Ruin)

Wildenstein Castle was built at the beginning of the 13th century by the Counts of Rieneck, likely to protect their possessions from the neighboring Electorate of Mainz. Its first documented mention dates back to 1260. During a feud between the Counts of Rieneck and the Electorate of Mainz, with the involvement of Reinhard I of Hanau, the castle was captured. A settlement forced the Rienecks to acknowledge Mainz's rights and to promise not to build any further castles in the Spessart. Nevertheless, they soon began constructing Eschau Castle, which again led to conflicts. After the destruction of Eschau Castle by Bishop Wernher of Mainz and another settlement, the Rieneck brothers pledged not to build new castles on Mainz territory. When the Archbishop himself wanted to build a castle near Eschau, the Rienecks protested and simultaneously began rebuilding Wildenstein. A new settlement in 1266 stipulated that the Counts of Rieneck would pay 500 marks in silver and pledge Wildenstein for 300 marks to Count Hermann of Henneberg. In January 1271, the counts unconditionally submitted to the Archbishop of Mainz.