Visiting the castle ruins as a landmark of the Franconian Switzerland is a MUST.The ruins of the spur castle are located in the Franconian Switzerland-Veldenstein Forest Nature Park about 800 metres east of the church in the village of Streitberg. They stand above the Wiesent valley on a hill spur (402.9 m above sea level (NN)) north-northeast of the hill of Wartleitenberg (488 m above NN).
The ruins may be reached on various hiking trails from the valley or from the villages on the plateau. Neideck castle was first mentioned in a document in 1312. However, archaeologists assume that it was built as early as the 12th century. For a long time, the noble castle was the ancestral seat of the powerful noble house of the Schlüsselbergs, who had control over the area that is now Franconian Switzerland.
The best-known story is that of Count Konrad von Schlüsselberg, who incurred the wrath of the Würzburg and Nuremberg bishops in 1347 by setting up a customs post in Wiesenttal. They attacked Neideck castle and fatally shot the count with a stone bullet. An anecdote tells that the count was sitting in his 'privy chamber' at the time.
In its long history, Neideck castle survived several attacks and wars and changed its appearance correspondingly often. After the Second World War, the municipality of Streitberg decided on initial conservation measures to save the landmark. In 1996, extensive renovation work began, which was completed in 2008. Since then, the archaeological park has also existed in the castle area.
The castle complex itself consists of three sections separated by deep neck moats. The actual ruins of Neideck castle include the outer castle and the main castle, which is located on a rocky outcrop projecting to the north-east and whose tower still stands today. Since 2008, it is possible to climb to the top of the 10-metre-high wall, which offers a wonderful view.
Occasionally, cultural events such as theatre performances take place in the castle.
