Lützelhardt Castle

Lützelhardt Castle, also spelled Lützelhard, is the ruin of a medieval castle complex east of Seelbach in the Ortenau district of Baden-Württemberg. The former rock castle is located at an altitude of approximately 460 meters. Its name derives from the Old High German lucilinhart (small forest), which is a very common castle name in the German-speaking world.

Originally, the construction likely served to secure the pass road into the Kinzig Valley. From the 11th century onwards, the southern Ortenau increasingly fell under the influence of the Zähringer. The construction of the castle in the early 12th century is likely attributable to this lineage. It was probably managed by a Zähringer ministerial family. However, there are few written records. In the course of disputes between the Staufer and the Bishops of Strasbourg, the castle was probably destroyed around 1235 by the neighboring Geroldsecker, who belonged to the episcopal party. Afterwards, the security of the pass road was taken over by the newly built Hohengeroldseck Castle.

Lineage

In the 12th century, Zähringer ministerials bearing the name "von Lützelhardt" are repeatedly mentioned. A branch of this family or this ganerbschaft rose to imperial ministerial status around the middle of the 12th century. A Konrad von Lützelhardt became one of the most important officials of the Staufer imperial administration in Italy. For him, the name Mosca-in-Cervello or Mosca-in-Cerebro (Fly-in-Brain) is handed down. Especially during the conquest of the Kingdom of Sicily by Henry VI, Konrad von Lützelhardt, as Margrave of Molise, was of central importance as a military leader. Descendants of this Konrad also appear in the 13th century and call themselves de Lucinardo. They soon appear in opposition to Emperor Frederick II. Their trace is lost in the late 13th century.

Legend

The castle is associated with the legend of the Gruselhorn, according to which a Lord of Geroldseck was abducted to Lützelhardt, discovered his whereabouts through a familiar horn call, and was then able to free himself. Afterwards, Lützelhardt was said to have been destroyed.