Schloss Altgottern, Château in Unstrut-Hainich-Kreis, Germany
Schloss Altgottern is a four-story castle complex in the Unstrut-Hainich region with four towers of varying heights arranged around an interior courtyard. The building features additional structures including a water tower on the southeast side and a residential wing on the west side.
The original castle was built as a moated fortress belonging to the Lords of Gottern starting in 1180 and changed hands in 1316. Swedish forces destroyed it during wartime, but it was reconstructed in 1652 and later operated under different ownership.
The dining hall and fireplace room display architectural details from the 1652 reconstruction following Swedish destruction during wartime. These spaces show visitors how residents used and valued certain rooms in their daily life.
The castle currently operates as a children and youth center managed by AWO, providing social services to the local community rather than operating as a traditional museum. Visitors should check ahead about accessible areas and how the building's current use may affect visiting opportunities.
The complex underwent several renovations and practical adaptations over time, with a water tower added to the southeast to supply the building with fresh water. Despite these functional modifications, the core structure remained the anchor point of the entire property.
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