In Thallichtenberg, Lichtenberg Castle is listed as a castle ruin; its origins date back to around 1200. The complex is about 425 metres long, freely accessible year-round, and houses the Palatinate Musicians’ Museum as well as the GEOSKOP. The GEOSKOP museum in Thallichtenberg presents the prehistory of the Palatinate from around 300 to 280 million years ago, with well-preserved fossils and large-format images of habitats, including the region’s prehistoric tropical environment before the dinosaurs. In addition, Geoskop offers a research workshop during the summer holidays. Anyone wishing to rent a holiday apartment in Thallichtenberg can then continue their search for accommodation.
History
Thallichtenberg developed from the former settlements of Bistert, Dal and Wadenau. A knight named Bertram von Wadenau built a house in Wadenau in 1285.
Above Thallichtenberg, there is a youth hostel with 106 beds at Lichtenberg Castle. The reconstructed tithe barn at Lichtenberg Castle houses a branch of the Palatinate Museum of Natural History in Bad Dürkheim.
Culture
At the Musicians’ Land Museum, visitors can watch trombones and violins being made in an instrument maker’s workshop. The Musicians’ Land Museum also offers special research games and quizzes for schoolchildren.
Trails
The 28.5-kilometre Castle Cycle Route connects Frauenberg Castle and Lichtenberg Castle. The 25.7-kilometre Fritz Wunderlich Trail runs from Altenglan via Kusel to Freisen in Saarland.
The Prussian Trail begins at Lichtenberg Castle and follows the former Prussian border on a circular route. It reaches the hang-gliding launch ramp on the Herzerberg at an elevation of 578 metres, the highest point on the route. Almost half of the Prussian Trail runs along natural paths, with 7 percent on asphalt.
The Veldenz Hiking Trail begins at Lichtenberg Castle, reaches Veldenz Castle in Lauterecken and can be divided into stages. It is designated as a Leading Quality Trail – Best of Europe and passes through two nature reserves.
Nature
The Kusel Uplands are a mosaic landscape in which open land along valleys, on slopes and on hilltops is interwoven with forests.
Other destinations: Glan-Münchweiler, Hohenöllen, Nußbach, Einöllen, Altenglan, Grumbach, Föckelberg, Langweiler
