Burg Waterlappe, Medieval castle ruins in Ense, Germany
Burg Waterlappe is a castle ruin near Ense featuring visible moats that once surrounded a four-section building complex. The archaeological remains reveal the foundation walls of this former water fortress.
The castle was built between 1365 and 1370 after the Fürstenberg family lost their earlier seat. It served the family as a residence and administrative center until 1633.
This location served for centuries as a regional center of power that attracted nobles and their households to settle and work here. The ruins demonstrate how the fortress shaped the landscape and community life around it.
Access to the grounds is free and available year-round, allowing visitors to explore the foundations and moats without restrictions. The open layout enables a complete walk around the site in the open air.
A 19th-century engraving by Fr. Wlh. v. Schorlemer depicts how the fortress appeared before its destruction. This historical image helps visitors today imagine the original structure.
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