Lichtenberg, Bavaria

Lichtenberg
Town
Aerial view of Lichtenberg with Lichtenberg Castle in the foreground
Coat of arms
Location of Lichtenberg within Hof district
Lichtenberg Lichtenberg
Coordinates: 50°23′01″N 11°40′33″E
Country	Germany
State	Bavaria
Admin. region	Oberfranken
District	Hof
Municipal assoc.	Lichtenberg
Government
• Mayor (2020–26)	Kristan von Waldenfels
Area
• Total	9.47 km2 (3.66 sq mi)
Elevation	564 m (1,850 ft)
Population  (2023-12-31)
• Total	1,026
• Density	110/km2 (280/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+01:00 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+02:00 (CEST)
Postal codes	95192
Dialling codes	09288
Vehicle registration	HO
Website	www.lichtenberg    -oberfranken.de

Lichtenberg is a town in northeastern Bavaria, lying in the district of Hof in Upper Franconia.

It lies on a hill above the valley of the river Selbitz, in the Frankenwald nature park.

History

The town's origins reach back to the 9th century. New and expanded buildings were built and occupied by the dukes of Meranien in the 12th century. The counts of Orlamünde inherited the town in 1248. First mention of the town and its recognition as an independent municipality came in 1336.

During the Cold War division of Germany (1945–1990), Lichtenberg lay only a kilometer from the inner German border, on the western side.

Medieval fair

Each September, the Friends of Lichtenberg Castle hold a festival in the ruins of the castle.

Haus Marteau

Haus Marteau

In association with the government of Upper Franconia, Lichtenberg is the location of Haus Marteau (Internationale Musikbegegnungsstätte Haus Marteau), an international music center named after the famous violinist and former resident Henri Marteau. The center offers musical courses and master classes in several subjects all year. Every three years, the International Violin Competition Henri Marteau takes place at Haus Marteau and at the Freiheitshalle in Hof.