Leonrod Castle, Medieval castle ruin in Dietenhofen, Germany.
Leonrod Castle is a fortress ruin in Middle Franconia that sits on an artificial lake in the Bibert valley and is defined by its standing bergfried tower. The ruins reveal remaining wall segments, vaults, a courtyard with a well, and an outer tower that document the site's former defensive layout.
The castle was built over the course of the 13th century by the Leonrod family. A major fire in 1651 destroyed large portions of the structure, though it had survived the turbulent warfare that came before.
The Chapel of St. George on the grounds dates from the 14th century and shows how protection and religious devotion were intertwined in medieval fortress life. People gathered here for prayer, turning the castle hill into a place of daily spiritual practice.
The castle entrance sits well above ground level, so visitors should be prepared for climbing to reach the main structures. It pays to spend time walking around the site and viewing it from different angles to understand how the parts fit together.
The artificial lake on which the castle sits was originally a moat that expanded over time through flooding and water management. This unusual location makes it a rare example of a water castle in this region.
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