Details
Founded: 13th centuryCategory: Castles and fortifications in Germany
Historical period: Hohenstaufen Dynasty (Germany)
User Reviews
The oldest parts of Neidenstein castle date back to the 13th century. It was first mentioned in 1319 as a fiefdom of Friedrich von Venningen. 1385 the castle was still an imperial fief of the lords of Venningen whose line Venningen-Neidenstein resided at the castle. Siegfried von Venningen († 1393) and Jobst of Venningen († 1410) were Grand Masters of the Teutonic Order, Hans von Venningen († 1478) was Bishop of Basel and Siegfried III of Venningen († 1459) was bishop of Speyer. The Venningen Neidenstein family line died out in 1611.
The castle was expanded with the outer bailey in the 16th century. The murals in the castle dates from 1516. The outer gate tower dates from 1569. In the end of the 18th century the castle started to decline. In the 1890s the roof of the western part collapsed which has since it been only a ruin. In 1897-1903 much of the castle complex was restored but also the top floor of the fortified tower was removed. Starting in 1960, the restoration of the castle was continued.
Neidenstein castle is today privately owned by the family of Venningen and can be visited only occasionally.
References:Herceg Novi was founded (on a former small fishing village, existing since Roman Empire times) as a fortress in 1382 by first Bosnian King Stjepan Tvrtko I and was called Sveti Stefan or Castelnuovo. The Turks conquered Herceg Novi in 1482, and ruled for 200 years, until 1687. However, there was a short pause between 1538 and 1539 when it was held by the Spaniards before they were defeated in the Siege of Castelnuovo. Turkey ruled again until 1687, from then until 1797, the town was ruled by the Venetian Republic.
The Herceg Novi old town is amazing. It is on a fairly steep hill that leads all the way down to the sea. Wandering through the small stairways to the various plazas and fortresses is a many hour adventure.