Burg Reichenstein, castle
Burg Reichenstein is a castle in Lauterach situated on a hill about 585 meters above sea level, with massive walls built from rounded stones and a main tower called the bergfried standing roughly 20 meters high. The structure displays simple, functional design focused on defense and living space, with thick walls and remaining tower sections that show its original purpose as a fortress and residence.
The castle was built between 1230 and 1250 during the Staufer period, initially serving the Lords of Stain as an outpost before falling under control of Benedictine monks from Zwiefalten monastery around 1499. Damaged during the 1525 Peasants' War, it was abandoned by 1600 and left to decay until the main tower underwent repair in 1971 to make it accessible to visitors again.
The name Reichenstein refers to the castle's position on a steep slope, where it once dominated the valley below. Visitors can still sense how this structure served as a visible marker of power and control over the surrounding lands.
The walk to the castle passes through natural scenery and is fairly straightforward to complete on foot. The main tower is accessible to visitors and offers views across the surrounding landscape, with paths leading to the site having been improved in recent years to make the visit more convenient.
The Benedictine monks of Zwiefalten monastery took control of the castle around 1499, revealing that religious institutions owned and managed fortifications alongside secular rulers. This monastic use remains evident in the site's history and distinguishes it from purely noble family holdings of the period.
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