Lichtenberg: Castle, Old Town and Höllental

Get to know Lichtenberg through three specific themes: the castle ruins above the town, the late-medieval market square and scenic destinations in the surrounding area. The castle ruins and old town are in Lichtenberg; the marked hiking trails are in Höllental, nearby. This distinction helps you separate local history from hiking options without treating Höllental as part of the town center.

Castle Ruins and History on Schlossberg

Lichtenberg Castle Ruins stand on Schlossberg above the town. The castle was burned down by imperial troops in 1634 during the Thirty Years’ War; it has remained a ruin ever since. The history of the place is therefore closely linked to a specific historical turning point. From the castle tower, the view extends across Lichtenberg and the surrounding forests and fields. The historic site and the view come together in one theme: the castle’s destruction is central to its history, while the view from the tower opens up a perspective on the town and landscape.

Old Town and Castle Festival

The old town features a late-medieval market square and narrow historic lanes. The square and lanes offer different impressions of the historic town center: a clearly defined market square sits alongside a more intimate network of streets. In this way, the old town adds a distinct focus to the castle. If you sort Lichtenberg’s historic sites by location, Schlossberg and the town center are two separate points of interest.

A recurring event in the annual calendar is the Lichtenberg Castle Festival. It is held every year in early September on Schlossberg and in the old town. Burgfreunde and the Burgkultur association take turns organizing it; around 8,000 visitors attend over the festival weekend. The two venues thus bring the castle and historic town center together as part of the same festival. If the Castle Festival is a deciding factor for your trip, check the specific festival dates as you plan.

Hiking Trails and Views in the Surrounding Area

Höllental has numerous marked hiking trails with a combined length of more than 30 kilometers. This figure describes the total length of several trails, not the distance of a single route. For your planning, this is a different focus from the historic attractions in town: in Höllental, the emphasis is on a selection of marked trails, while the castle and old town define the town center.

The “König David” viewpoint is 170 meters above the valley floor. From there, the view extends into the Selbitz valley and across to Lichtenberg. Höllental is also home to the larger-than-life wooden “Hirschsprung” deer figure, which appears poised to leap into the valley. The figure is a striking individual landmark alongside the hiking trails; the view from König David offers a different perspective on the landscape and the town.

Höllental is also home to the two wooden bridges, Jungfernsteg and Teufelssteg. According to legend, the devil is said to have been seen at Teufelssteg. This tradition is specifically associated with this bridge. Together, these features offer different ways to shape a stay: the history of the castle, the old town’s squares and lanes, and marked trails, viewpoints and local traditions in the surrounding area. You can decide what to prioritize, depending on whether you want to focus on the town’s history or on scenic destinations.

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