Haus Winnenthal, Water castle in Birten district, Xanten, Germany.
Haus Winnenthal is a water castle in Xanten, Germany, built with three wings and surrounded by a moat. A southwestern outer bailey was once part of the defensive layout and remains visible as part of the overall structure today.
In the 15th century, Duke Adolf II of Kleve had the property reshaped for his son Johann and the latter's wife Elisabeth of Burgundy, turning it into a notable seat for local nobility. The building was later reconstructed and eventually converted into a senior residence.
The name Winnenthal comes from the family that lived here for generations, and it is still recognized in the local area today. Walking around the outside of the moat gives a clear sense of how a typical Lower Rhine water castle was arranged.
The building now serves as a senior residence, so public access is limited and it is worth checking in advance before planning a visit. Walking the perimeter along the moat is generally possible and gives a good view of the exterior.
The site sits on the old boundary line between the territories of Kleve and Kurkoln, and it was part of a system of earthwork defenses known as the Landwehr. This made it a checkpoint between two competing powers rather than a standalone fortress.
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