Lichtenstein Castle

The first confirmed mention of the castle dates back to 1559. The cellar vaults, which are now gastronomically used as the "Schlosskeller" (Castle Cellar), probably originate from this period. It is presumed that the "fortified house" of the Frankish conquerors from around 800 was also located at this site. During the Thirty Years' War, the castle burned down in 1634 and was then rebuilt around 1700. Around 1753, the castle was built in its current form by Friedrich von Hutten. In 1863, Baron Friedrich von Pölnitz acquired the castle and lived there for several years until he left Ippesheim around 1873. In 1898, he sold the castle to the municipality. Until 1973, it was used as a primary and secondary school. The last teacher, Oskar Oppitz, also became known as a local historian and author of the Ippesheim village chronicle. Currently, the municipal administration offices are located on the upper floor of the castle, while the modern municipal kindergarten is housed on the ground floor.