Lichtenstein Castle (Ruin)

The origins of Vorderlichtenstein are believed to date back to between 1150 and 1180, while Hinterlichtenstein emerged around 1200. The Lords of Lichtenstein, first documented around 1182, were initially vassals of the Counts of Gammertingen and later of the Counts of Württemberg. Their sphere of influence included not only the castles but also the hamlet of Unterlichtenstein, the village of Bitz, and estates and courts in Mägerkingen and Hausen a. L. In 1332, Swenger von Lichtenstein founded the Nikolaus Chapel in Neufra. From the second half of the 15th century, ownership of the castles changed hands several times between the Counts of Württemberg and the Lords of Bubenhofen.