Burgruine, Medieval castle ruins in Ebern, Germany

Rauheneck Castle is a ruined hill castle on a western spur of the Haubeberg at 428 metres, north of Vorbach in the Haßberge Nature Park. It was an administrative castle of the Bishopric of Würzburg, surrounded by mixed forest. The site was closed until 2006 due to the risk of collapse and has been accessible again since emergency repairs began.

According to legend, the castle was built around 1180 by the Brambergs after their nearby castle was destroyed. In 1231 the free knight Louis of Ruheneke placed half the castle under the Bishopric of Würzburg, and the family died out around 1250. From 1378 the Marschalks held it as Würzburg vassals; after their extinction in 1550 it fell to the bishopric, was abandoned in 1720 and has belonged to the Barons of Rotenhan since 1829.

The castle's name Rauheneck means "forested corner" or "hill spur", referring to its site on a wooded spur of the Haubeberg. A chapel is documented at the castle as early as 1232, incorporated into the parish of Ebern; in 1428 a chaplain is recorded. Villagers from Jesserndorf and Bischwind attended services there and paid the pastor of Ebern five pounds in Heller coins each year.

The ruin sits on a western spur of the Haubeberg (428 m) above the village of Vorbach, north of Ebern, reached on foot through the mixed forest of the Haßberge Nature Park. The site was closed until 2006 because of the danger of collapse; emergency repairs begun in July 2006 and secured in 2018/19 make it accessible again, though the work is unfinished, so stay on the paths.

The castle chapel was first recorded in 1232, incorporated into the parish of Ebern, and a chaplain is documented there by 1428. The villages of Jesserndorf and Bischwind attended services in it and paid the Ebern pastor five pounds in Heller coins each year. The Barons of Rotenhan have owned the ruin since 1829.