House of Leiningen
It is presumed that the castle was constructed by Count Frederick III of Leiningen (d. 1287), and it remained a possession of the House of Leiningen - until 1689, when it was destroyed during the War of the Palatine Succession by French troops. Together with Neuleiningen Castle, on the opposite hillside metres to the north, it controlled access to the Eckbach valley. To the south-east, upstream, stands the Leiningen family seat of Altleiningen.