Wasserburg Gauangelloch, Medieval castle ruin in Leimen, Germany
Wasserburg Gauangelloch is a medieval castle ruin in Leimen featuring preserved residential buildings, water-filled moats, and walls displaying coat of arms stones from the Bettendorf family. The site contains multiple stone structures from different building periods that show residential life and fortification methods of earlier times.
The castle was first documented in 1369 and suffered damage during the Thirty Years' War. Johann Philipp and Helena von Bettendorf rebuilt it in 1665 and established it as their family residence.
The former residential area now displays contemporary African sculptures and rotating exhibitions from artists across Africa. Visitors encounter modern artwork within the setting of the original stone rooms.
The grounds remain privately owned by the Bettendorf family, with the gallery located at Schlossgarten 1 in the Gauangelloch district. Visitors should check in advance whether access is available, as it is private property.
Three coat of arms stones from the Bettendorf family are embedded in the pointed arch entrance gate, which comes from the original Gothic castle structure. This architectural detail preserves the family identity in stone and links the earlier building style to later reconstruction.
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