Burg Hüls, Medieval castle ruins in Krefeld, Germany

Burg Hüls is a ruined brick water castle in the Hüls district of Krefeld, begun in 1455 on marshy ground east of the village. Its lord's house collapsed in 1686 and was never rebuilt; the site retains a restored tower, rebuilt battlements and a moat that is to be refilled with water.

In 1455 Archbishop Dietrich of Moers granted Knight Friedrich von Hüls permission to build a fortification on marshy ground near Krefeld. This foundation marked the beginning of a defensive structure that remained important to the region for centuries.

The name Hüls derives from the Low German "Hulis", meaning holly bush. The castle's tower now houses a wedding room used for ceremonies, and the adjoining primary school uses the castle as an outdoor classroom.

The grounds are open and free to visit every Sunday from April through September. Wear sturdy shoes as the marshy terrain can become slippery, especially after rain.

Community volunteers invested thousands of hours in restoring the ruins and converting the tower into functional spaces. Their effort transformed a forgotten site into a living venue for the local community.