ヴェルツハイムの洞窟・トップ15

高さ23メートルの防御塔は、かつてのブルク城の唯一の遺構として残っています。この城は1181年にゴットフリート・フォン・ヴィンネンデンによって山の突出部に建てられました。

Interesting tower with traditional craftsmanship

Situated in a scenic location (390 m above sea level), Waldenstein Castle dominates the beautiful Wieslauf Valley. The castle, with its walls up to 3 m thick, suggests a certain importance in earlier times. The property and the surrounding area belonged to the Hohenstaufen dynasty; when Württemberg assumed control is unknown. However, Count Ulrich I of Württemberg appears to have been the overlord of the castle as early as 1251. Around 1420, Waldenstein Castle was then described as the property of Württemberg, which, however, frequently mortgaged its bailiwick. After the Rudersberg district was established, Count Ulrich V granted Waldenstein Castle, including gardens, meadows, pastures, and fishing waters, to his court master, Antony von Emershofen, in 1456. The feudal services were the responsibility of the surrounding villages such as Schlechtbach, Steinenberg, Rudersberg, and Michelau, which redeemed themselves for 720 guilders in 1590. The Emershofen family remained on the Waldenstein for over a hundred years. Hans and Gerung von Emershofen are known by name. The latter was the bailiff of Winnenden and stabbed a farmer while trading oats. After this crime, he fled to the commandery of the Teutonic Order in Winnenden. The sub-bailiff of Schorndorf then took over the property. In 1551, Duke Christoph enfeoffed Chr. Waldauf, already known as Christoph von Waldenstein, with the Waldenstein, who was succeeded by his son in 1571. Around 1586, we encounter a line of the von Gaisberg family. In the 17th century, the von Göllnitz family acquired the estate, and in 1761, the widow of the court physician Riecke of Stuttgart owned it as a Kunkellehen. In 1792, the property was sold by the Chamber Clerk's Office to the municipality of Rudersberg. Some of the noblemen who named themselves after the Waldenstein belonged to the class of dynasts. Special mention should be made of Konrad von Waldenstein, who was part of Count Ulrich II of Württemberg's entourage around 1720. The Lords of Gaisberg apparently owned Waldenstein only for a short time. The following episode is related to this noble family: At the end of the 16th century, the plague raged in Germany. Anna von Gaisberg, who had married a Baron von Holtz and was staying in Welzheim, wanted to escape the epidemic. She sought shelter at the castle with her parents, but was not allowed in for fear of bringing the terrible disease. On November 1, 1597, she gave birth to a boy outside the protective castle walls, near a well belonging to the castle – the later famous Generalfeldzeugmeister Georg Fr. von Holtz. Since the 17th century, representatives of the lower nobility and commoners were also enfeoffed with Waldenstein.

What was Winnenden's former name? In 1525, it was called Bürg, and in 1624, Altwinnenden. Altwinnenden Castle was the seat of the Lords of Winnenden before it became part of Württemberg. Initially, the town, along with the settlements of Schulerhof and Stöckenhof, belonged to the municipality of Baach. In 1686, the town was called Bürck bey Bach.

Very nice view. Castle is privately owned and cannot be visited.

Falcons live in the castle tower and occasionally stick their heads out or fly in and out.

Please turn right onto the footpath just before the castle. Then after a few meters you will find the Lourdes Grotto, somewhat hidden on the left. It is one of more than 200 Lourdes Grottoes in Germany - all replicas of the famous Lourdes Grotto in southern France. Please continue on the path! It is a short circular route that is rewarded with a great view of Backnanger Bay and the castle (from below).

View of Waldenstein Castle.