Burg Lede, Water castle in Vilich, Germany
Burg Lede is a water castle in Beuel made of rubble stone, basalt, and trachyte, with a main castle section and an outer fortification connected together. A moat surrounds the entire structure, demonstrating how it was once protected.
The castle began in 1361 when Knight Johann Schillink von Vilich transformed an older residential tower into a fortified castle while working as court master for the Archbishop of Cologne. In the early 20th century, it was completely rebuilt and given its current name.
The castle's name reflects its water-based setting, and it still shows the typical layout of a medieval fortress with main castle and outer fortification. Visitors can experience how the different parts of the stronghold were organized and used.
Access to the castle goes over a small bridge that crosses the surrounding moat and leads to the interior courtyard. Visitors should take time to view the outside from different angles, as this often gives the best perspective on the whole structure.
The castle's name Burg Lede came from Director Weinlig of Dillingen, who radically reshaped the building after acquiring it in 1904 and gave it a completely new look. This renovation made it an example of late historicism architecture from that period.
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