Ruine Lichteneck

The Ruine Lichteneck is a ruined hilltop castle standing at 615 metres above sea level near Hepsisau, a district of Weilheim an der Teck in the Esslingen district of Baden-Württemberg. The castle was built in the 13th century by Marquard von Neidlingen and first mentioned in 1282. By 1504 it had already fallen into ruin, leaving only small remnants of its ashlar masonry. The site overlooks the surrounding countryside from its elevated position. It lies within the Regierungsbezirk Stuttgart, close to the Swabian Alb. The castle’s brief but significant history makes it worth visiting for anyone interested in medieval fortifications. Its builder, Marquard von Neidlingen, belonged to a noble family active in the region during the High Middle Ages. The first written record from 1282 places it among the early stone castles of Swabia. Its rapid decline after 1504 reflects the changing military and economic conditions of the time. Today, the ruins offer a quiet reminder of a once-strategic stronghold. Visitors find a small group of weathered stone walls and foundations set in a grassy clearing. The remains are modest but clearly outline the former layout of the castle. From the site, views stretch across the Teck valley and towards the Swabian Alb. A short path leads up from Hepsisau, making the ruins easy to reach on foot. The peaceful surroundings contrast with the castle’s turbulent past.