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Updated: 16-dec-2009
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A little history Lichtenberg Castle is situated on a mountain with the Latin name 'Mons Lucis' which has given rise to speculation that perhaps the site was already used by the Romans for signaling, though no Roman guard tower remains have been found.
The square ruined keep we see today is the only remnant of the medieval Lichtenberg Castle. It's now incorporated in a farmstead which was built, probably on the foundations of the medieval castle, in the 18th and 19th century. In 1904 the keep was fitted with iron stairs and a wooden platform to be used as a belvedere.
Location and contact information
At Lichtenbergweg 2 in Maastricht, tel.nr. 043-3280814. Lichtenberg Castle Links Below are 2 pictures of Castle Lichtenberg, viewed from the north, taken in 1908. The first shows the old situation; a natural sloping mountain with the keep on top. At present you can't take a picture from this angle and the situation has changed totally. The second shows the keep with the farmstead.
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Around 1212 a castle was built on this site by Hugo de Pierrepont, the bishop of Luik. The lower part of the
keep, consisting of flint and millstone-grit, could be a remnant of this castle. In 1439 the castle came into
the possession of the Van Eijnatten family. During their ownership, which lasted until 1659, the castle was
partly or completely rebuild and extended. The upper part of the keep, consisting of marl, dates back to that
period; the 15th or 16th century. It can't be ruled out that during that rebuilding the keep was also
completely rebuild using old building materials. Also a main- and southwing were erected around a courtyard.
The function of the keep was mainly a defensive one. In 1568 the castle was used as headquarters by the
Spanish Duke of Alva.
After 1640 the castle lost its military function and was rebuild as a fortified residence and used as a farm.
Lichtenberg Castle was situated on a natural sloping mountain of limestone until 1922 when the mountain was
bought by ENCI; a company who would quarry the limestone for cement production. Due to the open quarrying
all around the castle it is now situated next to a high, vertical, bare limestone cliff. In 1985 the complete
complex was restored. It is now owned by an environmental organization; Natuurmonumenten.