Windeck Castle

Around 1200, the lords of Windeck erected Windeck Castle on a mountain spur southeast of Bühl as living quarters, de-fensive bulwark and symbol of their claim to power. Fresh winds gusted around the castle's inhabitants, prompting them to name their new home "Wind-Eck", windy corner.

The fortress complex consisted of one castle to the front and one to the rear. Each included a tower and living quarters. The bottommost storey of the second tower in the rear castle probably served as a dungeon or granary. In the case of war it was a defence tower and place of refuge for the inhabitants. As a result, the lower sections of the walls were particularly thick; the entrance was placed on the 4th floor. Today's entrance on the ground floor stems from the 19th century.

The castle withstood all enemy attacks, though it was stricken by a fire in the 14th century that left the living quarters and stables a shambles. Reinhard von Windeck had the houses rebuilt. His descendants left the castle at the end of the 16th century, residing from then on at the Schlosshof, or 'castle court' (today's hotel "Badischer Hof" in Bühl). Destruction at the fortress complex can be traced back for the most part to man-made causes. Over the last centuries building material was in short supply, so the castle was dismantled to erect other buildings: the Kappelwindecker Church, for example.

The castle tower can be ascended from April to October from 9 am until twilight falls, and in the winter months when the weather permits. A tasteful restaurant is a welcome stopover for visitors.

Info

Tourist-Info Bühl
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77815 Bühl, FRG
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