Burg Neu-Windeck: A Ruined Medieval Castle in Germany
Site at a Glance
- Rating
- 4.5
- Popularity
- Low
- Country
- Germany
- Primary era
- Medieval
- External website
- Open
- Eras represented
- Medieval
- Civilizations
- Holy Roman Empire
- Site type
- Military
- Remains
- Castle
On this page8 sections
History
Burg Neu-Windeck, also known as Neuwindeck, Burg Lauf, or Laufer Schloss, is a ruined medieval castle in Germany, southeast of Lauf in Baden-Württemberg. The Lords of Windeck built it around 1300 on the Schlossberg, at approximately 310 metres above sea level, after their family had divided into the independent Alt-Windeck and Neu-Windeck lines.
Foundation and family divisions
The castle first appears in written evidence in 1371. A chapel dedicated to the Three Kings, the Magi who came in Christian tradition to worship the infant Jesus, was recorded there in 1377. Although the two Windeck branches shared a coat of arms, they pursued separate interests and were frequently in conflict.
During the Schlegler War of 1394 to 1396, a conflict in which rival noble interests led to armed confrontation, Strasbourg used Burg Neu-Windeck as a base against Alt-Windeck. The long hostility between the family branches ended in 1466, when Berthold of Neu-Windeck married Anna of Alt-Windeck.
Badenese overlordship and inheritance
In 1500, Sebastian of Windeck pledged part of the castle to Margrave Christoph I of Baden. The margraves of Baden later granted that portion to the Lords of Dürrmenz for the period from 1520 to 1570.
The last heir, Jakob of Windeck, died of illness in Venice in 1592 while returning from a journey through France, Spain, Italy, and Palestine. His fiefs returned to the Empire and to the Margrave of Baden. His remaining allodial possessions, meaning property held directly by its owner rather than as a superior’s grant, were divided equally between his two sisters. Ursula received Alt-Windeck, while Elisabeth inherited Neu-Windeck.
Destruction and ruin
The date when Burg Neu-Windeck was destroyed is uncertain. By 1580, however, the castle was already described as a ruin.
Remains
Burg Neu-Windeck survives as a small, trapezoidal Gothic hilltop complex. Its buildings stood within a ring wall reinforced in the manner of a shield wall, with a zwinger, an outer defensive enclosure or passage between fortification walls, accompanying the main fortifications.
Residential and defensive buildings
Palas and residential buildings
The principal residential structure was a three-storey palas, the main residential and representative building of a medieval castle. The complex also included a smaller residential building, knightly living quarters, and stables. The palas is shown as a ruin in a 1987 record.
Bergfried
A 20-metre-high bergfried, or fortified tower used for defence, refuge, and surveillance, formed part of the castle complex. It contained three dungeons and stood within the fortified enclosure alongside the residential buildings and service areas.
