Falkenstein is situated 1268 m above the sea level and is therefore the highest castle ruin of Germany. The castle was built in 1059 as fortress for the bishop of Augsburg. The smallness of the construction and the naming could be possible explained by the fact it was built by the bishop for hunting purposes around the mountain Falkenstein. With the establishment of the "Vogtei" in 1310,  Falkenstein was used as office for the installed functionary and ended the utilisation as summer residence. Since the end of the 16th century no functionary was called upon, the castle fallen into disrepair.

With King Ludwig II the building was again paid attention to. The romantic beauty has interested him and in moonlit nights he enjoyed alone and dreamy the extensive view over his country from the ruin. A new castle should have been built here and in 1885 the construction of water pipes started. The castle remained a dream after the dead of King Ludwig II in 1886.