Lichtenstein Castle (Greifenstein)
Holzhausen
Access
No visits on recordNo opening hours or ticketing found
- Where
- Holzhausen
To make a day of it
Burg Lichtenstein (Greifenstein) stands in Holzhausen (Lahn-Dill-Kreis), in Hesse, Germany. Recorded dating: 13th century. No visits are on record for this building.
Above the Ulmbach reservoir, a spur rising to 315 metres holds what little survives of Lichtenstein Castle, now reduced to a ditch and scattered wall fragments. The Lords of Lichtenstein, connected to the Lords of Greifenstein, had it constructed near 1225, but their support for the rival king Albert of Habsburg led the Counts of Nassau and Solms-Burgsolms, joined by forces from the Wetterau imperial cities, to seize and raze it in 1298. While Greifenstein Castle nearby was restored, this stronghold never was, and its title later moved through the Rodenhausen, Nassau-Hadamar and Solms families. Its appeal today lies in the site itself and the events tied to it, since no architecture still stands.
Written from Lichtenstein Castle (Greifenstein)
What to know
- Only a ditch and a few wall remnants survive of the castle, with no standing building.
- The site is reached via the Three Castles hiking trail (Drei-Burgen-Wanderung), an about 11 km loop starting from Greifenstein.
- The walk crosses hilly terrain above the Ulmbach reservoir, so sturdy footwear is advisable.
- There are no opening hours or fees, as this is a freely accessible ruin in a natural setting.
- It is best treated as a stop along a longer walk rather than a destination in itself.
Where this château is
Holzhausen · Lahn-Dill-Kreis · Hessen
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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km
Address
35753 Greifenstein
Directions open from wherever you are, by car or public transport.
5.0 / 5from 4 Google reviews
- Heritage status
- Protection status unknown
- Period of construction
- 13th century
Base map © IGN, Géoplateforme
In pictures
Frequently asked
- Are there any surviving buildings at Lichtenstein Castle?
- No, only a ditch and small wall remnants remain, since the castle was destroyed in 1298 and never rebuilt.
- How do you get to Lichtenstein Castle?
- It is reached on foot via the Three Castles hiking trail, an 11 km loop starting from Greifenstein.
- Is there an entrance fee?
- No, the site is an open-air ruin with no fee or set opening hours.
- Who built Lichtenstein Castle?
- It was built around 1225 by the Lords of Lichtenstein, close relatives of the Lords of Greifenstein.
- Why is Lichtenstein Castle a ruin?
- It was captured and destroyed in 1298 by the Counts of Nassau and Solms-Burgsolms, after its lords had sided with rival king Albert of Habsburg.
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Sources
Identity, location and official references from Wikidata and the Land's heritage lists.
