Alte Burg, Medieval castle ruin in Nörvenich, Germany
Alte Burg is the remains of a medieval castle positioned on a steep bank overlooking the Neffelbach stream, with a horseshoe-shaped outer fortress. The site sits on protected ground where archaeologists can still examine its structure.
The castle was built in the 13th century under Hermann IV von Saffenberg and served as an administrative hub for the region. It remained in use until 1394, when it was eventually abandoned.
The site is protected as a ground monument, which tells you this place matters for understanding how medieval rulers organized their lands. Walking around, you can sense how the layout was designed to control the area and its people.
The site is easy to reach on foot and you can walk around the outer defenses to see the foundation layout from different angles. Keep in mind this is an archaeological site, so access may be limited at times, so check before you go.
The fortification used a Großmotte design where a deep moat separated the inner stone structure from the outer ring fortress. This two-part arrangement was a common security method for medieval administrative strongholds.
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