The name of the castle is self-explanatory. Lichtenstein means “shining stone” in German. The castle is built on a light-colored stone that shines bright when the sun's rays touch it. It perfectly explains the name and also the artistic beauty of the castle.
The early history of Lichtenstein Castle dates back to the 12th century. During that period, the castle was home to the Lords of Lichtenstein, a noble and highly regarded family of the era. They controlled essential resources of the region since they owned much of the land.
Wilhelm, the Count von Urach, bought the lodge and the surroundings to restore it and make a great castle there drawing on Romantic architectural influences.
As a lover of ancient architecture and art, Count Wilhelm decided to make a castle embellished with Gothic architectural features. The building of the castle used the old foundation of the original castle. The count personally furnished and designed the rooms, reflecting his interest in architecture and design.