Lichtenstein Castle

Lichtenstein Castle is a privately-owned Gothic Revival castle located in the Swabian Jura of southern Germany. It was designed by Carl Alexander Heideloff and its name means "shining stone" or "bright stone" or "light colored stone".

Historically there has been a castle on the site since around 1200. It was twice destroyed, once in the Reichskriegs war of 1311 and again by the city-state of Reutlingen in 1381. The castle was not reconstructed and subsequently fell to ruin.

In 1802 the land came into the hands of King Frederick I of Württemberg, who built a hunting lodge there. By 1837 the land had passed to his nephew Duke Wilhelm of Urach, Count of Württemberg, who, inspired by Wilhelm Hauff's novel Lichtenstein, added the current castle in 1840–42. The romantic Neo-Gothic design of the castle was created by the architect Carl Alexander Heideloff.

Let’s remember its history. This fortress was built in 1390 and in the Middle Ages, it was inaccessible. In 1567 it ceased to be the residence of Dukes. As a result, nobody kept the fortress in good order and in a hygienic condition, so it became neglected. In order to clear a space for the fort, in 1802 the fortress was demolished. In 1837 Duke Wilhelm bought the ruins of Lichtenstein and in 1842 it was restored. What’s interesting that he also made some ideas about future castle views, apparently inspired by the romantic image of the novel “Lichtenstein”.

As a result, we can see beautiful castle in neo-gothic style. The walls up to the second floor are preserved from the old fortress. Behind small bridge it’s possible to see wonderful castle, consisting of different constructions: the gate, decorated with towers and battlements, two-storey and three-storey palaces with lancet windows, terraced tongs and bay windows. Behind these constructions we can see a lofty donjon, topped with a crown gear.

Speaking about Liechtenstein castle interior, only some details of previous fortress remained. For example, the Gothic altar and medieval windows. That’s why now it’s possible to see the castle as it was conceived in the XIX century. In the royal apartments on the upper floor there is a gallery of ancestor portraits, and an armory can serve as festive hall. The Duke and his family live in the north wing of the castle, where visitors aren’t allowed.

It can be the smallest castle in Germany. That doesn’t make it any less impressive. It was reconstructed to feel like a medieval knight’s castle though, so it feels older than it actually is.

The castle was damaged during World War II ,but efforts to restore it began in the immediate aftermath of the war. Thanks to local non-profit organizations like the Wüstenrot Foundation and Community Fund for the Preservation of Lichtenstein Castle, the walls were restored in 1980, followed by the second floor in 1998. The upper floor and roof were restored in 2002.

Today the castle is still owned by the Dukes of Urach, but is open to visitors. You can enjoy amazing views of the Echaz Valley and Swabian Alps. And if one castle can be cozy, then it is Lichtenstein.