Neu-Falkenstein Castle was probably built in the early 12th century. In the 13th and 14th centuries it served as the fiefdom of the Counts of Falkenstein and Bechburg. The saffron war made them known: the Bishop of Basel Johann von Vienne (in office 1365-1381) had claimed the help of Henmann von Bechburg for a war effort, but never compensated him for it. In 1374 Henmann attacked a transport from Basel merchants near St. Wolfgang and captured a large amount of expensive saffron. The result was a fortnightly siege, capture of the castle and beheading of the sixteen mercenaries who had defended the castle.