Burg Lichtenberg (Tamala Malerk)
I should begin with the fact that the castle isn’t really in my backyard, but it definitely feels like that. Just a short seven-minute drive from my home, a 30-minute drive from Ramstein and a less than 20-minute drive (or just under an hour on public transportation) from Baumholder is Burg Lichtenberg.
Burg Lichtenberg is the largest castle in Rheinland-Pfalz and one of the largest castle complexes in Germany. The castle is over 800 years old and offers plenty to do for the entire family.
The castle began as two separate castle complexes that expanded so much that they simply combined the structures. The castle has never been captured by enemy forces. Today, you benefit from the preservation. You can climb up the winding medieval steps and look out onto the hills, which during these summer months are covered in beautiful rapeseed. There are plenty of open areas to explore the stone ruins and gorgeous photo ops. I even had my graduation photos taken there.
There are two museums onsite that make the castle a great place to visit even on a rainy day. The Pfälzer Musikantenland-Museum is a hands-on museum: It features exhibits, instruments, mosaics and infographics about the musical scene in the area in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Prehistoric Museum Geoscope takes visitors back to the age of the dinosaurs in the Pfalz. The museum features rotating exhibits so you can see something new throughout the year. They also have adorable axolotls onsite.
After all that exploring and learning, you will work up an appetite. Fear not; there is a restaurant onsite with indoor and outdoor seating, and the food there is delicious! We have gone to the castle simply to have lunch. I had the fried goat cheese with vegetables and my spouse had the gnocchi and vegetables in white sauce. Both were amazing! When I say my spouse had the gnocchi, what I really mean is that I ordered the smaller goat cheese dish because I wasn’t that hungry…and then ‘helped’ eat a quarter of the gnocchi because it is just that tasty. The restaurant also features a daily cake special, and our berry cake was just as fantastic as everything else. Prepare to leave full.
The castle hosts various events throughout the year and it’s worth your time to check them out. They hold seasonal markets. They also hold semi-annual medieval markets. I attended last year’s and there were tasty treats, animal exhibits and, of course, medieval wares vendors. This year I am getting a tiara. They are also home to a medieval Christmas market in the wintertime. This is a great opportunity to warm up with gluhwein, shop for presents and buy a tiara for yourself.
For those interested in an extended stay at the castle, there is a youth hostel on-site as well as camper van parking. The youth hostel is family-friendly, and they offer opportunities for family vacations and children’s birthday parties. There is also a small coffee shop for a quick fuel up.
The museums and restuarant are open every day but Monday. I recommend calling the restuarant and getting a reservation. The castle grounds are accessible 24/7.
