Lichtenstein Castle (Schloss Lichtenstein) is a striking 19th-century fairytale castle perched dramatically on a cliff edge in the Swabian Alps of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Often called the “Fairytale Castle of Württemberg,” it was built between 1840 and 1842 by Count Wilhelm of Württemberg, inspired by the historical novel Lichtenstein by Wilhelm Hauff. Unlike medieval fortresses designed for defense, Lichtenstein Castle was created as a romantic homage to chivalry and medieval ideals. Its ne