Motte Schwanenmühle, Medieval castle ruin in Wiescheid, Langenfeld, Germany.
Motte Schwanenmühle is a medieval castle ruin near Wiescheid featuring a circular mound surrounded by a defensive ditch. The site displays typical features of a motte-and-bailey fortification with its earthen ramparts and water-filled moat.
The site was built during the 11th or 12th century as an early regional fortification. It later influenced the construction of Haus Graven around 1300, which served as a successor fortification.
The site shows features of early medieval defensive construction from the region, and its earthworks remain visible today. The preserved moat system contributes to understanding how such fortifications were built at that time.
The archaeological site can be reached via two marked hiking trails that form circular routes through the landscape and connect other nearby attractions. Sturdy footwear is recommended as trail conditions vary throughout the year.
The northern section has an old water management system with openings at both ends that allow selective flooding from the nearby stream. This system shows how early fortress builders used water for both defense and control.
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