Burg Liebenstein

Burg Liebenstein is a stone fortress perched on a hilltop above Bad Liebenstein overlooking the Thuringian Forest. The building features thick walls, rounded towers, and rectangular windows that reflect both its defensive purpose and residential function.

The fortress was built in the 13th century in a strategically important region. It later became a Ganerbenburg, a shared estate where several noble families ruled together and divided ownership of the property.

The castle shows how several noble families lived and worked together under one roof as a shared household. This arrangement shaped the building's layout with distinct sections for each family's daily life.

Visitors can explore the castle ruins and examine the architecture and layout of the various living quarters. The site is easily accessible from Bad Liebenstein, and pathways around the castle offer multiple viewpoints of the surrounding landscape.

The castle was divided among approximately ten noble families, each with their own sections and separate entrances. This unusual arrangement made the fortress a complex living arrangement that had to meet the daily needs of multiple competing households.