Wildenstein Castle Ruins

Mythical Place Wildenstein Castle dates back to the 11th – 12th century and is located on the old Eisenstraße road that leads through Wildenstein grove. Robber-knights’ castle. It was the only castle of the Inner Salzkammergut. From 1419 onwards Wildenstein Castle was also the seat of the imperial caretakers (Since 1311 the Salzkammergut had been a king’s or duke’s district resp., a state in the state). Wildenstein Castle Ruins are located on a steep crag. There used to be an upper and lower castle section. When the castle burned down for the second time in 1715 it was let go to ruin. The legend has it that Wildenstein Castle was a robber-knights’ castle and it tells of a spellbound damsel who waits for salvation in the burned down castle. Only a youngling who stands up to a nine-headed dragon in a full moon night can save the damsel. He is then rewarded with a treasure hidden in the ruins. If you hike westwards from the ruins you get to Teichwiese meadow where the fish ponds of Wildenstein Castle used to be. It is said that the village of Lauffen was connected to Wildenstein Castle with a secret, underground tunnel. Back then Lauffen was an important trade place.