Schloss Lichtenhaag

Schloss Lichtenhaag stands on a hill shaped like a spur ridge above the Vils valley in Lower Bavaria. It overlooks the point where the Great and Little Vils rivers meet, about four kilometres to the west. The site was chosen long ago to control the valley’s traffic and the old salt route. Old records link names ending in ‘-haag’ to early fortified places, and archaeologists have found traces of a prehistoric or early historic fort here. Two kilometres southwest, the village of Leberskirchen is known to have been a settlement and church site since at least 903. The castle grew into a four-wing building with a small inner courtyard. The main wing on the southwest side was once the stronghold and defensive core. The other wings are lower, and the northeast wing still shows a Gothic stepped gable. Baroque touches appear at the entrance portal and the onion dome tower, while the interior carries rich stucco work. Water came from a sixty-metre-deep well dug next to the knights’ hall. Medieval records tell of the Lords of Leberskirchen, who moved here from their family seat in the 13th century. Visitors find a quiet ensemble of late medieval castle, baroque Wies chapel, a Tibetan stupa and a modern church. The stepped gable and onion dome stand out against the surrounding farmland. Inside, the stuccoed ceilings and the deep well shaft recall the building’s long history. The private owners keep the grounds well maintained, and the hilltop position offers wide views over the Vils valley.