Wildstein Castle (Ruin)

The first documented mention of Wildstein Castle dates back to the early 14th century. In 1355, a document was issued at the castle, confirming the sale of properties by Egid Paulsdorfer to Konrad den Kräzlein of Wildstein. Just one year later, in 1356, District Judge Otto der Zenger von Schwarzeneck decided a dispute over territorial sovereignty and high justice in favor of Count Palatine Ruprecht the Younger. Following the death of Konrad den Kräzlein, the castle passed to Landgrave Johann von Leuchtenberg in 1373. In 1409, he sold the complex to Hermann den Frankengruner, who in turn granted it as a fief to Count Palatine Johann. Wildstein subsequently became a fiefdom of the Palatinate. Ownership changed hands multiple times, including the Rabe, Holtzschuher, and Ochs families. In 1562, Hans Rüdiger and Hans Sigmund Machenwitz received half of the castle. However, since the Machenwitz family was under imperial ban, Wolf Satzenhofer von Fuchsberg was appointed as liege lord in 1564.