Feindlichen Brudern...

                Liebenstein and Sterrenberg

The Feindlichen Brudern (Enemy Brothers) were once two castles that were part of one set of fortifications.  Sterrenberg was originally built in the 1000s, followed a few hundred years by its extension of Liebenstein, being named for Graf von Liebenstein.  The story goes that he had two sons he loved dearly, Konrad and Heinrich.  While these boys were teens, the Graf adopted his orphaned niece Hildegarde.  The legend has it that she was incredibly beautiful, and the two boys, once bound tightly in family fealty, fell out in their rivalry over her (one account says their love "enflamed their hearts!"  The original German is better than the English translation).  Heinrich, who was younger, took Konrad aside and tried to negotiate a deal that whomever Hildegarde loved, the other would step aside.  This agreement didn't last, and the result was the hostility of two castles within a stone's throw of each other!  However, historically there is no evidence the two castles ever fought each other, and that Liebenstein was actually built to help protect the older Sterrenberg from any assault originating along the spine of the ridge.

To the left, Liebenstein, taken in 1978 (above) and 2007 (below).

Below, Sterrenberg, the top photo taken from the grounds of Liebenstein in 1978, and the photo below it taken from a similar location in 2007.  Due to its whitewashed keep, Sterrenberg does not stand out well against a cloudy sky, and is thus hard to see. 

The two castles are worth the hike or drive.  Liebenstein has a small hotel and nice restaurant, while Sterrenberg has only the latter.  Both towers are closed to the public.

The keep of Sterrenberg (left) perched on its rocky crag.  Below left, the main gate into Sterrenberg.  Both photos were taken in 2007, the latter in a pouring rain!

Below, an absolutely spectacular view of Sterrenberg taken from Liebenstein at sunset, September 2007.