Burg Welterode, Medieval water castle in Eitorf, Germany.
Burg Welterode is a medieval water castle near Eitorf, surrounded by a water-filled defensive moat system. The three-story plastered building with three window axes sits in the Eip Valley and has been completely renovated under private ownership.
The castle was first documented in 1249 when Countess Mechthild of Sayn donated it with the estate Mauchenrode to Herchen monastery. This gift tied the fortress to religious institutions and shaped its role as a controlling power over surrounding territories.
The name suggests connections to a local family or settlement from medieval times, and the structure represents how defensive buildings were designed in this region. Visitors can see how such fortifications served as both protective strongholds and centers of power over the surrounding lands.
The castle sits at the southern edge of Eitorf near Mühleip and is privately owned, so it is best to check in advance about visiting possibilities. The surrounding area offers walking paths to explore the valley and landscape around the water castle.
The fortress once controlled an extensive network of estates including multiple farms and three mills scattered across the region. This system gave the castle significant economic power through mills that were vital to grain production and local crafts.
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