Burgstall Windeck

The Burgstall Windeck stands on the Eierberg hill in Upper Franconia, about 850 metres from Ampferbach church. It was a medieval hilltop castle built by the Lords of Windeck, first recorded in 1263. The fortress was destroyed in 1525 during the Peasants’ War. Today only earthworks and ditches remain of the original structure. A memorial stone marks the grave of Ursula von Windeck, the last resident who died around 1475. The site is protected as a Bavarian archaeological monument. The ruins offer a quiet walk through grassy banks and shallow trenches. Visitors can trace the outline of the former stronghold along the surviving ramparts. The view from the hilltop stretches over the surrounding countryside. The memorial to Ursula von Windeck stands near the highest point. No walls or towers remain above ground, but the layout is still clear. The site is open to the public and easy to reach on foot. A short path leads from the road up to the hilltop. The grass is kept short by local farmers, making the earthworks easy to see. Interpretive signs explain the history of the Lords of Windeck. The area is peaceful, with only the wind and birds for company. The site is part of a larger network of medieval monuments in the region. It offers a glimpse into the life of a small noble family centuries ago.