Schloss Tonna, Medieval water castle in Gräfentonna, Germany
Schloss Tonna is a water castle with four wings forming a rectangular core surrounded by a water-filled moat. The entire complex spans a sizable area and displays typical medieval fortress architecture.
The castle dates to the Middle Ages and underwent multiple transformations over the centuries. From 1861 onward it served as a prison, and in 1873 a third floor was added to modernize it as an incarceration facility.
The east wing displays a Renaissance-style oriel window facing the courtyard, showing how the building grew and changed across different eras. This window reveals the layers of construction that accumulated over centuries.
The castle is currently undergoing extensive restoration work after being vacant for many years. A support organization founded in 2020 is actively researching its history and managing preservation efforts.
During World War II, the facility held at least 144 forced laborers who endured harsh conditions. This dark period remains an important part of the site's history that visitors should know about.
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