Burg Lichtenstein, Rock castle near Chur, Switzerland
Burg Lichtenstein is a castle ruin perched on a narrow rocky hilltop near Chur, built with thick stone walls arranged around a simple courtyard. The walls remain standing despite centuries of abandonment, though they are no longer safe for visitors to enter.
The castle was built in the early 12th century, and the Lichtenstein family first appears in written records around 1180. It served as a stronghold for controlling the region during medieval times.
Local people call this place Katzenburg because the hilltop outline resembles a sleeping cat when viewed from above. This informal name shows how the structure belongs to the daily landscape and how residents relate to it through what they see.
You can reach the site by walking uphill from Haldenstein village along a marked path that takes roughly half an hour. Since the interior is closed for safety, plan to observe and photograph the exterior walls from the surrounding area.
Unlike many medieval castles, the remains show no signs of violent destruction or attack, which is quite unusual. Instead, it appears to have been gradually left behind during the 15th century, leaving unanswered questions about why residents departed.
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