Burg Lauenstein, Medieval castle and museum in Ludwigsstadt, Germany
Burg Lauenstein is a castle with four corner towers and multiple wings standing on a hilltop above the town of Ludwigsstadt in northern Bavaria. The structure combines its oldest sections from the 12th century with a Renaissance expansion built between 1551 and 1554, and now serves as a museum.
The original fortification was built in the 12th century and later expanded multiple times, particularly through Renaissance restructuring in the mid-16th century. This building phase gave the castle its current form and defines its appearance today.
The name 'Mantelburg' comes from an old legend about King Conrad using his royal cloak to mark the building site. Visitors today can still encounter this historical origin story woven into the site's local identity.
The location is best reached by walking paths that lead uphill from Ludwigsstadt and offer views of the surrounding landscape. Allow enough time for the climb, especially if you plan to explore the museum displays inside.
The castle holds a specialized collection of keys and lighting fixtures from several centuries, showing how craftsmanship and design evolved over time. This collection offers rare insight into everyday use and technical development of these often-overlooked objects.
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