What remains of Burg Lichtenstein today?

A circular mound, a ditch and a short stretch of pale gypsum stone wall, the rest of the medieval castle is gone.

How old is Burg Lichtenstein?

It is first documented in 1404 as property of the Dukes of Grubenhagen, though unconfirmed sources suggest it may date back to the thirteenth century.

Is the nearby cave part of the castle visit?

The Lichtensteinhöhle, a natural cave discovered in 1972 a few hundred metres away, is a separate site from the castle ruins.

Is Burg Lichtenstein easy to reach?

It is reached via a forest path up a hilltop, requiring a moderate walk but no special equipment.

Burg Lichtenstein

Dorste

Visit

Hours to be confirmed

Where: Dorste

Hours and prices not verified at the source yet.

To make a day of it

Open within 20 km

Scharzfels CastleOpen to visitors19 km

Burg Lichtenstein (Osterode am Harz) stands in Dorste (Landkreis Göttingen), in Lower Saxony, Germany. Its opening hours and prices have not been verified at the source yet.

Burg Lichtenstein is a ruined castle set on a wooded hilltop between the villages of Förste and Dorste in Lower Saxony, on the western edge of the Harz mountains. Only a circular mound, a surrounding ditch and a short stretch of pale gypsum stone wall remain from the medieval stronghold. The appeal lies less in the scant masonry than in the forest setting and the turbulent history of pledges, feuds and a siege in the fifteenth century.

What to know

Only the mound, the ditch and a small wall fragment survive, this is not a dramatic ruin.
Access is via a forest track, so sturdy walking shoes are advisable.
Nearby, the natural Lichtensteinhöhle cave was discovered in 1972 during a search for possible escape tunnels.
There are no opening hours, fees or visitor facilities tied to the site, it is visited freely outdoors.

Where this château is

Dorste · Landkreis Göttingen · Niedersachsen

Map of the area around Burg Lichtenstein (Osterode am Harz)

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

Unnamed Road, 37520, Osterode am Harz

Directions open from wherever you are, by car or public transport.

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Heritage status: Protection status unknown

In pictures

Frequently asked

What remains of Burg Lichtenstein today?: A circular mound, a ditch and a short stretch of pale gypsum stone wall, the rest of the medieval castle is gone.
How old is Burg Lichtenstein?: It is first documented in 1404 as property of the Dukes of Grubenhagen, though unconfirmed sources suggest it may date back to the thirteenth century.
Is the nearby cave part of the castle visit?: The Lichtensteinhöhle, a natural cave discovered in 1972 a few hundred metres away, is a separate site from the castle ruins.
Is Burg Lichtenstein easy to reach?: It is reached via a forest path up a hilltop, requiring a moderate walk but no special equipment.