Windeck Castle (Ruin)

The origins of Windeck Castle date back to around 1110, when it was built to protect the possessions of Lorsch Abbey. The predecessor castle suffered destruction as early as 1114. Reconstruction took place after 1125, but with the end of Lorsch Abbey's independence in 1232, the castle became an object of dispute between the Archbishop of Mainz and the Electoral Palatinate. After several changes of ownership, it finally came into the possession of the Palatine Counts in 1264 or 1344. The castle was not enfeoffed to a noble family but was managed and secured by castlemen. The surrounding villages were responsible for its maintenance. Although the castle survived the Thirty Years' War and was repaired in 1663, it fell victim to looting and destruction by French troops under General Turenne in 1674.