By: ViaCon Hamco GmbH
Project Summary
The 2026 NCSPA Galvanized Project of the Year transformed access to Germany’s historic Leuchtenburg Castle with a precision-engineered corrugated steel structural plate enclosure. Completed in just eight weeks, the project demonstrates how galvanized steel can preserve history while expanding accessibility.
Preserving History While Expanding Access
Historic landmarks often present a difficult challenge. Communities want to preserve centuries of history while making these treasured destinations accessible to everyone.
The 2026 NCSPA Galvanized Project of the Year accomplished both.
Submitted by ViaCon Hamco GmbH and fabricated by ViaCon Polska, the Leuchtenburg Castle project in Seitenroda, Germany, used a galvanized corrugated steel structural plate enclosure to house a passenger cable incline lift. The installation now provides barrier-free access to one of Germany’s most recognizable medieval castles while respecting the site’s historic character and demanding terrain.
Engineering for an Extraordinary Slope
Leuchtenburg Castle sits high above the surrounding countryside, making accessibility a significant engineering challenge.
The incline lift enclosure extends nearly 130 feet along a 46% slope, connecting the lower and middle stations of the lift system. Unlike a conventional tunnel, the enclosure had to align precisely between two fixed terminal stations with virtually no room for error. Maintaining consistent internal clearances across the entire structure required exceptional fabrication and installation accuracy.
Projects like this demonstrate why engineers continue to specify steel structural plate for demanding infrastructure applications where precision and adaptability matter.
Precision Meets Preservation
Historic sites leave little room for construction mistakes.
ViaCon engineered the structural plate enclosure to sit perpendicular to the steep hillside while maintaining an exact interface with both terminal stations. The modular design allowed crews to carefully manage installation tolerances throughout construction while creating a clean exterior that complements the surrounding landscape.
Close coordination among the architectural firm, construction company, and ViaCon ensured continuous survey verification and quality control throughout the installation. The result is a structure that protects the incline lift while blending modern engineering with a centuries-old landmark.
Projects that balance durability with aesthetics continue to demonstrate the value of galvanized corrugated steel in challenging environments.
Built for Long-Term Performance
While appearance mattered, long-term durability remained equally important.
The enclosure uses 8 mm galvanized structural plate protected with hot-dip galvanization in accordance with DIN EN ISO 1461:2009, providing corrosion protection designed for decades of service. The modular system also simplified construction, allowing the enclosure to be assembled in a net installation time of just eight weeks despite the site’s difficult terrain and tight construction tolerances.
The project highlights how galvanized steel infrastructure can reduce long-term maintenance while delivering reliable performance in demanding applications.
A New Chapter for a Historic Landmark
Infrastructure is often judged by how well it disappears into the landscape.
At Leuchtenburg Castle, the finished enclosure quietly serves thousands of visitors while preserving the experience of one of Germany’s historic landmarks. More importantly, it opens the castle to visitors who previously faced significant mobility challenges.
The project illustrates that corrugated steel is not limited to traditional transportation or drainage projects. It can also solve unique architectural and accessibility challenges where precision, durability, and aesthetics must work together.
Innovative projects like this continue to expand the possibilities showcased throughout the NCSPA Project Spotlights collection and reinforce why engineers rely on corrugated steel solutions for applications well beyond conventional infrastructure.
For more information about Leuchtenburg Castle, visit the official Leuchtenburg Castle website.