Wülzburg, Renaissance fortress in Weißenburg in Bayern, Germany
Wülzburg is a five-sided fortress on a hilltop above Weißenburg with massive stone walls and angled bastions at its corners. The structure includes an inner courtyard surrounded by continuous outer walls with walkways for defense.
A Benedictine monastery stood on this site starting in the 11th century. From 1588 onward, it was gradually converted into a military fortress with contemporary defensive engineering and the five-sided shape visitors see today.
The fortress displays Italian Renaissance military design with its five-sided layout and angled bastions that visitors observe while walking the perimeter. This form of fortification became a model for later defensive structures in the region.
Access starts from the parking area via a path to the main entrance, where visitors can then walk the outer perimeter or cross the inner spaces. Allow time for climbing between different levels, especially if exploring all areas of the site.
Beyond its role as a defensive structure, the fortress served as a prison for French soldiers during World War I, holding high-ranking officers. It was later repurposed during World War II for other military functions.
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