Wüstenstein Castle

The castle is mentioned in 1327 as being owned by Otto von Aufseß. In 1355, ownership changed to Heinrich von Aufseß, who served the Bishop of Bamberg. In 1525, the castle was destroyed in the Peasants' War and subsequently rebuilt. In 1592, Hans Valentin von Aufseß died. In 1602, ownership changed to Christine von Aufseß (née von Brandenstein), who, as Hans Valentin's widow, was enfeoffed with the knight's estate. In 1614, Jakob von Aufseß zu Aufseß was enfeoffed with the property. During the Thirty Years' War, the castle was burned down and subsequently rebuilt. In 1681, Johann Friedrich and Christoph Wilhelm sold the knight's estate to the Margraviate. In 1687, the margravial chief bailiff and chief war commissioner Christoph Friedrich von Brandenstein received the knight's estate as a son- and daughter-fief. In 1693, Hans Ludwig von Brandenstein from the Oppurg-Wernburg line at and to Obersiemau was enfeoffed with the knight's estate. In 1764, the renovation of the castle was completed. In 1796, Friedrich Wilhelm Ferdinand von Brandenstein sold the castle to Prussia, the legal successor of the Margraviate, due to debt. In 1802, Friedrich Wilhelm Ferdinand von Brandenstein became the owner of the castle again. The castle church was acquired by the community. In 1839, the school community of Wüstenstein bought the castle. In 1920, the main tower, the castle gate, and a round tower were demolished by the church administration for the construction of a cemetery wall.