Liebenstein Castle

Presumably built in the 13th century as an outer bailey to Sterrenberg Castle, Liebenstein was expanded between 1284 and 1290 by Albrecht von Löwenstein. This occurred during a conflict with Werner VI von Bolanden, his wife Luccardis' uncle, who sought to dispute her claims to the property. In 1294, the castle passed to the lords Siegfried and Ludwig Schenk von Sterrenberg, who subsequently called themselves “von Liebenstein.” While Sterrenberg fell to Kurtrier, Liebenstein remained a joint-heritage castle within family ownership. The complex was expanded, including a gate tower (1363) and a defensive tower (around 1380). The main residential tower was built in the 14th or 15th century. Up to ten co-heirs lived here, each constructing their own towers and residential buildings, traces of which are still visible today. A second shield wall, known as the “battle wall,” erected at Sterrenberg Castle in the 14th century, was likely directed against Liebenstein and is the origin of the legend of the “Hostile Brothers.” By 1529, the castle was uninhabitable.