Waldenbuch Castle

The origins of the castle date back to the 12th century, although the first documented mention of the former castle only appeared in 1381. The Counts of Hohenberg or the Lords of Bernhausen are considered possible builders. In 1363, Waldenbuch became the property of the Counts of Württemberg. Duke Ulrich increased the importance of the town by appointing Waldenbuch as the seat of the forest warden for the Schönbuch, a position that existed from 1534 to 1807 and oversaw forest use. Between 1562 and 1566, Duke Christoph had the old castle converted into a hunting lodge by his master builder Aberlin Tretsch. Duke Friedrich I significantly expanded the Renaissance building to the north around 1607. For this purpose, the nave of the neighboring parish church of St. Veit was demolished and rebuilt. Further alterations followed: in 1650, the castle well was built, and from 1687 to 1690, under Duke Friedrich Carl of Württemberg, the west wing was added as a kitchen building and the east wing was raised.