Burg Windecken, Medieval castle in Nidderau, Germany
Burg Windecken is a medieval castle in Nidderau that stands on elevated ground near the Nidder River. The complex preserves two gate buildings from the 16th century and remains of the original ring wall.
The castle was built between 1260 and 1262 on land of the Diocese of Bamberg and served as a secondary residence for the Lords and Counts of Hanau. It suffered heavy destruction during the Thirty Years' War when Croatian forces looted and destroyed it in 1634, followed by a Swedish regiment attack in 1646.
The name comes from the Windecker family who once ruled here. The castle continues to shape how locals and visitors see this region and its past.
A restaurant now occupies the castle basement, while the former administrative building has been converted to residential apartments since 1970. These modern uses keep the site active while maintaining its historical character.
Carl Theodor Reiffenstein created a detailed drawing of the castle in 1824 that is now held in the Städel Museum collection. This artistic record captures the entrance gate and bridge at a time when the building was already being used differently than its original purpose.
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