Grubenhagen Castle

Grubenhagen Castle is a castle ruin in Vollrathsruhe featuring a roughly 10-meter-high stone tower built from fieldstone and brick with walls about 3.3 meters thick, surrounded by a water-filled moat. The remains display visible structural elements and foundation outlines that allow visitors to understand medieval building methods and defensive layouts.

The von Grube family built this defensive structure in the 13th century, and the von Maltzan family later acquired it and transformed it into a manor house. This conversion from a military stronghold to a residential building shows how these structures changed purpose over time.

The layout includes two distinct areas: a circular inner ward in the northwest and a rectangular outer ward in the southeast. These sections reflect regional medieval building traditions typical of this region.

The site is best explored on foot, as you can view the entire complex with its walls and moat from outside. Wear sturdy shoes since the ground is uneven and paths around the ruin may be poorly surfaced.

The walls combine local fieldstone and brick in a building technique typical of northern German castles. This material combination made the structure particularly resistant to the damp coastal environment of the area.

Location: Vollrathsruhe

GPS coordinates: 53.66310,12.48370

Latest update: December 9, 2025 20:25