Windeck Castle, Medieval castle ruins in Bühl, Germany
Windeck Castle comprises medieval ruins standing on a hilltop about 378 meters high in the Black Forest, with stone walls, two bergfrieds, and tower structures remaining. The preserved masonry reveals the typical design of a fortified medieval residence with defensive features.
The lords of Windeck built the castle around 1200 and appear first in written records from 1212. A major fire in the late 14th century destroyed archives and structures, prompting reconstruction efforts by Reinhard von Windeck.
The castle served as the seat of the lords of Windeck and symbolized their authority in the region. Visitors can still see the layout of buildings and sense how the family exercised power from this hilltop position.
The ruins are open and accessible for visitors to explore freely at the hilltop location, where a hotel and restaurant operate nearby. The site at Kappelwindeckstraße 104 in Bühl provides space to walk around and has facilities close by.
The two bergfrieds served different purposes: one protected the gate while the other functioned as a refuge during conflicts. This double structure was a clever defensive strategy to safeguard the family's power.
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