The Lichtenberg family at the Tuštanj castle

Abstract

The author gives in her contribution a short history of the noble family Schwab, which built the renaissaince manor Tuštanj near Moravče at the beginning of the 16^th century. At the same time, their race rose to the heights in the society by the marriage of Johann Schwab with Margaretha, the descendant of the ancient but impoverished noble Carniolian family of Lichtenberg from the castle Lihtenberk above Šmartno at Litija. In next centuries, the family Schwab-Lichtenberg became rich and expanded from Tuštanj throughout the Carniola in two main lines and five branches. In the 17^th century the members of the family became barons and soon afterwards counts and they abandoned the partial family name Schwab. In their public activities the family members distinguished themselves especially in military service. The zenith of the family was achieved in the middle of the 18^th century, afterwards they waned in the common agony of the nobility decline. Nowadays, some remaining members of once so large and illustrious family Lichtenberg live abroad.