Lauenstein Castle

The origins of Lauenstein Castle date back to the mid-12th century, with its first documented mention as “Castro Lewinstein” in 1242. Its strategically important location in the northern border region of Franconia made it a coveted possession, belonging to, among others, the Counts of Merania and Orlamünde. In 1427, the castle came under the feudal lordship of the Hohenzollerns under Margrave Friedrich I of Brandenburg. Knight Heinrich von Thüna was enfeoffed with the lordship in 1506, and Christoph von Thüna had the current Renaissance main wing with its corner towers built between 1551 and 1554. After further changes of ownership, including Margrave Christian of Brandenburg-Bayreuth in 1622, the castle passed to the Electorate of Bavaria in 1803.