Lichtenberg Castle

This is a really neat castle ruin that is about 15 minutes from Zeb's house. It is the largest castle ruin in Germany. Built around 1200, it was owned by the counts of Veldenz until 1444. It then came under the new dukedom of Palatinate-Zweibrucken and became the administrative seat to Kusel until 1758. The town of Kusel was burned down by French revolutionary troops in 1794 and the castle was plundered. Then in 1799 a fire destroyed much of the castle. After Napoleon's defeat and withdrawal of French troops from Germany it came under the Princedom of Lichtenberg. The princedom was short lived and was sold to Prussia in 1834. It fell into disrepair and ruin until 1895 when the castle complex was placed under historical monument protection. In 1971 the castle was turned over from the Rhineland-Palatinate to the district of Kusel and restoration began.
Today's history lesson was brought to you by the letter K.



One of the great things about this ruin is that it is simply open to the public and you are free to roam around as you please. (Read - Kids can run and have a blast while adults check it all out. ) It is a large complex with some buildings intact and others skeletons of their past grandeur. You can go up several flights of stairs to the top of the tower which gives you a panoramic view of miles of the surrounding countryside.




This building houses a fine dining restaurant that is open year-round. Denise and I drove back and had dinner here. Very good dinner. Good place for a quiet, romantic dinner. Champagne with blueberries, good Germany Reisling, Beef fillet, and pork tenderloins. Topped off with apple struedel, irish coffee, etc. A 2 1/2 hour european dinner. They do know how to relax and enjoy a meal. Dining is not just eating - it is a social event.

Location:Kusel, Germany