Balduinseck Castle is located in the valley on the L 203 between the towns of Buch and Mastershausen and is freely accessible. The hilltop castle was built in the 14th century by Elector Baldwin of Luxembourg as a stronghold against the Counts of Sponheim, who resided at Kastellaun Castle. When it was built, Baldwin seems to have been particularly inspired by the French donjon type.
The castle was never destroyed but fell into ruin from the 18th century. Comprehensive renovation was completed in 2014, making the site freely accessible again. The 18-meter-high, four-story walls of the residential tower are still well preserved today. Today, Balduinseck Castle is a special highlight for many hikers.
References:The Beckov castle stands on a steep 50 m tall rock in the village Beckov. The dominance of the rock and impression of invincibility it gaves, challenged our ancestors to make use of these assets. The result is a remarkable harmony between the natural setting and architecture.
The castle first mentioned in 1200 was originally owned by the King and later, at the end of the 13th century it fell in hands of Matúš Èák. Its owners alternated - at the end of the 14th century the family of Stibor of Stiborice bought it.
The next owners, the Bánffys who adapted the Gothic castle to the Renaissance residence, improved its fortifications preventing the Turks from conquering it at the end of the 16th century. When Bánffys died out, the castle was owned by several noble families. It fell in decay after fire in 1729.
The history of the castle is the subject of different legends.