Haus Rath, Medieval castle in Krefeld, Germany.
Haus Rath is a castle with a three-story residential tower featuring walls roughly 2.25 meters (7.4 feet) thick, along with both square and round defensive towers. The compound reflects the typical medieval fortification design with its heavy stone construction and layered defenses.
The castle was built around 1200 as a motte-and-bailey fortress, making it the oldest secular structure in Krefeld. Its original moat system was designed to strengthen its defensive capabilities against attack.
The castle served as the administrative heart of a local district for centuries, shaping the identity of surrounding communities. Residents viewed it as a symbol of their regional authority and belonging.
The castle sits along the historic Hohe Straße trade route in northern Krefeld at Alte Rather Straße 205-219. Visitors should approach the site with appropriate respect given its status as a protected historic location.
An approximately 800-year-old yew tree grows within the castle grounds as a protected natural monument, silently witnessing centuries of local history. This ancient tree serves as a living link to the site's distant past.
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