Burg Alsbach, Medieval water castle in Engelskirchen, Germany
Burg Alsbach is a medieval water castle in Engelskirchen with a rectangular layout surrounded entirely by a moat fed by a stream. The main building is accessed via a bridge from the western outer ward and displays an elongated structure incorporating various construction elements.
The site was first documented in 1373, though the structure seen today was built between 1622 and 1627 when earlier fortifications were expanded into a new wing design. This rebuilding phase reflects how defensive needs changed during the early 1600s.
The castle represents an important example of medieval fortification tradition in the region, shaping how the landscape is understood locally. Visitors can observe how the water defenses enclose the structure, conveying a sense of how settlements were protected in past times.
The castle can be viewed from forest paths that surround the area, with an especially good vantage point about 200 meters along a marked trail. The marked pathways make it straightforward to find good viewing spots from a distance.
The castle retains its original moat system that completely circles the central manor house and remains fully functional today. This intact water defense network is rarely found in preserved structures of this type in the region.
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