Lichtenstein Castle

Wilhelm Hauff published the novel Lichtenstein in 1826, a historical romance set at a real but ruined castle on the edge of the Swabian Jura. Duke Wilhelm of Urach read it, bought the site, and had a new castle built from 1840 in the neo-Gothic manner on a spur of rock above the valley, with a bridge across a cleft and turrets rising directly from the cliff edge. It is small, a few rooms deep, and holds a collection of arms and armour. The family still owns it. Below, the Nebelhöhle cave, which also features in the novel, is open as a show cave.

What to look for

• The cliff-edge castle - a neo-Gothic building on a rock spur with a bridge.
• The novel origin - a castle built to realise a work of fiction.
• The armour collection - weapons and armour in the small interior.
• The Nebelhöhle - a show cave nearby that also appears in the book.

When to go

April to October; the castle closes for winter with limited weekend opening, and interiors are seen only on guided tours. The courtyard can be entered separately.

Practical notes

The interior is small, guided only and often booked out. Winter opening is minimal. Parking is below with a walk up.

Nearby

Bad Urach lies east; Reutlingen is north.