Lichtenstein Castle, Germany

The Lichtenstein Castle is an impressive medieval castle located near Hornau in the Swabian Alb, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. The first castle was built already in 1200 but it was destroyed twice: in 1311 and in 1381. Afterwards was the castle abandoned and fell into ruin until 1802, when King Frederick I of Württemberg built a hunting lodge there. However, the Lichtenstein Castle evolved to its present glorious appearance when it passed to Duke Wilhelm of Urach and nephew of King Frederick I in 1837. Its new owner inspired by Wilhelm Hauff's novel Lichtenstein ordered its reconstruction which was carried out between 1840 and 1842 by architect Carl Alexander Heideloff. Today is the Lichtenstein Castle still owned by the Dukes of Urach but it is open to the public.