BURG LICHTENBERG A GERMAN FORTRESS

(1200AD-1995AD)

THE GOLDEN AGE OF FORTRESS-CASTLE BUILDING IN GERMANY WAS 1200 AD - 1450 AD

Construction of this fortress was started in 1200 AD. It was illegally founded under the authority of the Earl Gerlach von Velden. King Frederic II ordered the project demolished in November 1214. This order was never carried out and the construction of the castle continued until 1450.

Most of the castles in Germany were destroyed by Napoleon in the 1806-1812 Napoleonic wars. Germany is in the process of reconstructing many of its castles. The Burg Lichtenberg fortress is one of the largest fortress ever built in Germany.

Tourism is becoming an important part of Germany's economy. The cost of rebuilding its history is being offset by the profits from tourism.

The fortress could only be attacked on its eastern side. During the 30 year war, this horseshoe shaped gun tower was added to defend the fortress in the new age of canons. Its gun holes are 6ft. in diameter and gave covered fire to the whole eastern side of the fortress. Its walls are 15ft. thick.

A Liche Berg in German is a treeless mountain top. 19 other castles in Germany carry this title in their name. A Burg (castle) is a German castle built on a Berg (mountain). The Burg Lichtenberg fortress is on a Berg 1394 ft. high. The mountain drops off sharply on its west, north, and south sides. Only the east side of the fortress needed to have major defenses.

NEXT page (Entering The Fortress)

RETURN TO Fortress Table of Contents Page