Photos courtesy of Schlosshotel Liebenstein
The first historical mention of Liebenstein dates back to 1100 when a group of knights from the Alsace region moved to the settlement of Liebenstein. Documents show that these knights and their descendants participated in jousting tournaments in Augsburg and Würzburg.
The foundation of the first castle of Liebenstein—surrounded by a moat and a large, circular wall—was laid in 1120. Construction continued until 1600, but French soldiers damaged the castle less than a 100 years later. French soldiers had another go at firing on the castle in 1945.
In 1972, renovations began on the castle and it finally opened as a castle hotel in 1985.
Pamela’s Perspective
Liebenstein makes a good central base from which to explore the Neckar River Valley and surrounding region. Not too far away in Marbach am Neckar is the Schiller National Museum, dedicated to the poet Friedrich Schiller (1759-1805).
Outside of Heilbronn, just to the north of Liebenstein, are the castle ruins of Weibertreu. Tradition relates that during a time of siege in 1140, the attacking army allowed the women inside the castle to leave only with what they could carry. The women fled the castle carrying their husbands on their backs!
Schlosshotel Liebenstein
A 13th-century castle
Contact
Liebenstein 1
D-74382 Neckarwestheim
Tel: ++49 (0) 7133 9899-0
Hotel website
Reserve with Booking.com
Fast facts
24 rooms, including 5 singles, 18 doubles, and 1 suite
Single rooms: 70 euros
Double rooms: 120 euros
Rates include breakfast, tax,
and service.
Open: all year
Getting there
Neckarwestheim is 13 km south of Heilbronn. From the A-81, exit “Ilsfeld” (northbound) or “Mundelsheim” (southbound) and follow the signposts to Neckarwestheim and the Castle Liebenstein. There’s a rail station 4 km away in Kirchheim am Neckar.
What to do
On site: golf
Nearby: bicycling; excursions
along Neckar River, Stuttgart
Weddings
Yes. The castle has a Renaissance chapel.
Golf reigns supreme at this lovely Renaissance castle on a small hilltop in the Neckar Valley. Even if you aren’t an aficionado of the game, you can still enjoy the first-class facilities here.
Guest rooms are modernized, comfortable, and in perfect keeping with the castle’s aristrocratic origins. Views are of the golf course, the vineyards, or the forest.
The restaurant “Lazuli” is one of the best in the area and offers gourmet fare. If you wish more regional style cooking, try the “Kurfürst” restaurant, and for easy meals after a heavy day of sightseeing or golf, a beer garden hits the spot.
Something special
Multi-course gourmet dinners in the highly regarded “Lazuli” restaurant.