Germany’s Lichtenstein Castle

During my trip to Bavaria I did quite a bit of research of the most famous castles in Germany and I found they really are spread out all over.  However, I did managed to visit four over the course of two days with quite a bit of driving and Lichtenstein Castle, or Schloss Lichtenstein, does make nearly every Top 10 list.  While not quite in the region of Bavaria it is still in Southern Germany, in Baden-Württemberg, and dates back more than 900 years.

When visiting I researched the castle and timed it so I would be able to go on an English speaking tour especially as the only way you can go inside is with a tour (more for crown control than anything else, I think).  The name of the castle, Lichtenstein, literally translates from German as “shining stone” but many people not named Lichtenstein have lived there. Since 1100 it has had many owners including the counts of Württemberg, the Tyrolean line of the Habsburgs,  King Frederick I of Württemberg, and currently the dukes of Urach but the same building has not stood for 900 years.  The most recent structure was actually built in 1802 as a hunting lodge by King Frederick I and while quite damaged in WWII (including a mirror pierced by a bullet hole which still remains) it has been restore to it’s former glory.

On  the tour you get to see quite a few of the castle’s interior rooms including the Armory (where the stone from the rock the castle is built on protrudes into the room), the chapel, the drinking room, the royal chamber, and the Knight’s Hall.  Unfortunately photos are not allowed inside the castle but I did managed to sneak a few, here you go:

I highly recommend a visit to Lichtenstein Castle  if you are in there area – it is only 40 minutes from Burg Hohenzollern (which I also recommend) or you can do it as a day trip from Stuttgart!

Would you go to Lichtenstein Castle?