Haineck Castle

The castle ruin Haineck is located on a mountain spur above the municipality of Nazza in the Wartburg district (Thuringia) on the western edge of the Hainich.

The hilltop castle was probably built around 1392 by Landgrave Balthasar as part of the border fortification of the Landgraviate of Thuringia against incursions by the Electorate of Mainz's Eichsfeld and the free imperial city of Mühlhausen. Around 1400, the Lords of Wangenheim are named as bailiffs of the castle. In 1416, Hans and Wetzel von Creuzburg took on this position. In the 15th century, the dominion was repeatedly pledged. In 1448, it finally passed into the hands of the Counts of Henneberg. In 1452, the fortification was besieged during the Vitzthum Feud because Apel von Vitzthum had briefly occupied the castle. However, the levies of the cities of Erfurt, Nordhausen, and Mühlhausen could not capture it.

From 1503, the dominion was initially pledged property and from 1513, it was owned by the Lords of Hopffgarten. Around 1550, the castle was abandoned by its owners in favor of Nazza Castle, which was built in the valley. During the Thirty Years' War, it was used again when residents of the surrounding villages sought safety from plundering soldiers.