Greifenstein Castle, Castle ruin group in Lichtenstein, Germany

Greifenstein Castle is a group of two ruined hill castles, Obergreifenstein and Untergreifenstein, on a rock at 755 m above sea level above the Holzelfinger Tal near Lichtenstein. Obergreifenstein retains remains of its ring wall, while about 150 m west, Untergreifenstein on a narrow rock shows low wall remnants and ditches.

The knights von Greifenstein are first recorded in 1187, when Bertholdus de Grifinstain witnessed a charter of Duke Frederick VI of Swabia. In the 12th century they built Untergreifenstein and, a few decades later, Obergreifenstein 100 m above it. Both castles were destroyed in 1311 during the imperial war and were in Württemberg hands by 1355.

The name Greifenstein derives from the knights von Greifenstein, first attested in 1187 with Bertholdus de Grifinstain; Holzelfingen still bears a griffin in its coat of arms. Visitors today see only ruins, so the site is read through its walls and ditches rather than through collections.

The ruins lie on a rock at 755 m above sea level above the Holzelfinger Tal near Lichtenstein. Obergreifenstein is reached first; its ring wall stands close behind the ditch. Untergreifenstein lies about 150 m further west on a narrow rock, where only low wall remains and ditches are visible, so the ground is uneven.

The two castles were built a few decades apart, Untergreifenstein first and Obergreifenstein only about 100 metres above it. Both were destroyed in 1311 during the imperial war and were in Württemberg hands by 1355. Holzelfingen still bears a griffin in its coat of arms, a reference to the knights named after the rock.