Lichtenstein Castle, Gothic Revival castle in Honau, Germany
Lichtenstein Castle is a château in Honau within the German state of Baden-Württemberg. The structure rises on a narrow rock ledge above the Echaz valley and features towers, battlements and a drawbridge in Gothic Revival style.
Count Wilhelm von Urach commissioned architect Carl Alexander Heideloff to build the present château between 1840 and 1842 on foundations dating from 1390. The Urach family has inhabited the property until today and opens it to visitors during most of the year.
Visitors entering the main hall notice walls decorated with hunting trophies and weapons collection that reflect aristocratic life of the 19th century. The rooms on the upper floors display period furniture and paintings that show how nobility furnished their residences during the Romantic era.
The château offers guided tours through the first and second floors during most of the year that provide insight into the living quarters and weapons collection. Visitors reach the entrance via a steep path from the parking area and should wear sturdy footwear.
An American tank shell struck the central tower during World War II but did not explode and remained embedded in the wall. Restoration work from 1980 to 2002 removed the shell and repaired damage to the masonry and interior rooms.
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