Winzer Castle (Ruin)

The first mention of the locality of Winzer dates back to the year 1005. Around 1009, the Bavarian Duke gifted the area to the Bishop of Bamberg. In the 11th century, the bishop's ministerials erected Winzer Castle on previously settled land to protect the region and subsequently called themselves “Winzerer”. In 1190, the complex was recorded as an imperial fief. The Winzerers rose to noble knights from 1230, but their lineage died out in 1324. Subsequently, the castle passed into the possession of the Lords of Puchberg, who held it until 1558. From 1558 to 1603, the Lords of Schwarzenberg were the owners. Otto Heinrich von Schwarzenberg had the castle expanded. After 1603, the property fell to Bavaria.