Northeast of the spa town of Bad Liebenstein The ruins of Liebenstein Castle rise picturesquely 460 meters above the hilly surrounding countryside. The once mighty castle was probably built in the 12th century and was the seat of the Lords of Steinwhich were widespread in the area. The first documentary mention dates back to 1360 and the name Lybinstein was in use from 1406. Finally, in the 17th century, the complex, of which large parts of the Gothic palace and Remains of the former defensive wall are preserved.

From the world of legends: According to legend, a lord of the castle once ordered a poor little child to be walled in because he believed that the construction could only succeed through a human sacrifice. His entourage refused to carry out the deed in view of the child's innocence, and only the two apprentices agreed to carry out the order. Their bodies were soon found on the banks of the Werra. In the form of owls, their souls fly screaming through the castle as long as there is still one stone on top of the other. According to another gloomy legend, a woman who is said to have been evil against the poor in life awaits redemption in the ruins in the form of the White Lady. The treasure she guards is said to have lured many an adventurer to the mountain.

Tip: A hiking trail leads from the Bad Liebenstein Kurhaus up to the castle hill in 25 minutes. Along the way, visitors also cross the wooded area where Martin Luther was once "kidnapped" and taken to Wartburg Castle for his own safety.