Altenstein Castle, Maroldsweisach, Germany

The Altenstein Castle, located in Franconia, was once the seat of the lords of Stein zu Altenstein. The castle had its origins in the Teufelsstein, a rock castle that stood below Lichtenstein Castle. The Steins of Lichtenstein had their seat at the castle of Lichtenstein, while the Altensteins became vassals of the Prince-Bishops of Würzburg.

The castle, mentioned indirectly in 1225 and directly in 1231, developed into a Ganerbenburg, occupied and managed by several branches of the family. It had a significant role in the early record of joint inheritance. The Altensteins established a small territory around the castle during the 14th and 15th centuries, consolidating their scattered lands.

The castle faced damages during the Peasants' War in 1525, but in 1549, Emperor Charles V granted the high court jurisdiction to the Altensteins. The family faced a decline in fortunes and conflicts, including the execution of William of Stein zu Altenstein in 1567. The castle was sacked during the Thirty Years' War, and the family eventually moved to a new schloss in Pfaffendorf.

The castle fell into ruin over time and was donated to the district of Hassberge in 1972. The site underwent renovation and development, becoming accessible to visitors. The castle ruins, located on unstable subsoil, require ongoing stabilization measures. The castle chapel, originally built in 1438, had to be rebuilt and underwent further changes over the years.

Today, the Altenstein Castle is part of the Haßberge Castle Educational Path and offers a circular walk around the inner ward, allowing visitors to explore the ruins and previously inaccessible areas.

References:

Wikipedia

Linderhof Palace

Linderhof is the smallest of the three palaces built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria and the only one which he lived to see completed.

Ludwig II, who was crowned king in 1864, began his building activities in 1867-1868 by redesigning his rooms in the Munich Residenz and laying the foundation stone of Neuschwanstein Castle. In 1868 he was already making his first plans for Linderhof. However, neither the palace modelled on Versailles that was to be sited on the floor of the valley nor the large Byzantine palace envisaged by Ludwig II were ever built.

Instead, the new building developed around the forester's house belonging to his father Maximilian II, which was located in the open space in front of the present palace and was used by the king when crown prince on hunting expeditions with his father.

doug demaio (3 years ago)
A hidden gem. Well worth a visit and teaches a lot about history in the area. Powerful info, beautiful place.

Marije Henning (4 years ago)
Beautiful old ruined castle. There aren't many ruins left, but they are well-kept, information is given in German and English. We spent a nice time here, and enjoyed the beautiful views. You have to pay a small fee (4€ in 2021) to enter the grounds.

Chandrashekhar Panchangmath (5 years ago)
Very clean and nice place..

Jonathan Killeen (6 years ago)
It's good to be king.

L. S. (8 years ago)
Great View and interesting things.

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