Windeck was built above the town of Weinheim, having been started in the 1100s to provide protection to a local monastery and the Windeck family resided there up to the 1300s.
The castle was heavily damaged by the forces of Louis XIV in 1674.
Restoraton started in the 1960s with the keep shored up and the impressive walls of the residential section restored. Weinheim purchased the land in the mid-1970s. But despite the reconstruction effort, much of the castle remains ruined as it was when destroyed.
These photos were taken in 2008.
Windeck is fairly easy to reach as you can drive up the hillside and park nearby. The name literally means "Corner of the wind," an implication that the castle was placed in a sheltered location away from high winds and may have been the origin of the family name.
Left and below, portions of the living quarters that were partly rebuilt.
Right, the garderobe that was partially rebuilt. The seat opening is clearly visible, the cover not extant.
The keep has an interesting feature of a supported walkway about its girth.
Right, the pathway to the keep.
Below, in interior view of the residential walls. The tent below is part of the beer garden that operates within.
Right, the entrance into the keep. The stairway is of recent origin and the tower has received some cement paste to reduce decay.
