Wasserschloss Wilkinghege, Renaissance water castle in Münster, Germany.
Wasserschloss Wilkinghege is a water castle in Münster featuring Renaissance design throughout its structure. The building has balanced wings, sloping roofs with gables, and carved stone details across its exterior.
The castle was built around 1550 to replace an older defensive structure that no longer met the family's needs. It underwent major renovations in the early 1700s that gave it the form we see today.
The castle shows how nobility lived and arranged their homes in the 16th century. You can see how spaces were divided between formal areas for receiving guests and private family rooms.
The castle functions as a hotel and restaurant today, welcoming overnight guests and diners. The grounds are accessible for walking around the exterior, allowing you to view the moat and building from different angles.
A fire in 1958 caused severe damage to the castle, but the restoration work saved many of the original architectural pieces. The historic water moat system was fully preserved and still operates as originally designed.
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