Schloss Alme, Baroque water castle in Brilon, Germany.
Schloss Alme is a baroque water castle in Brilon, Germany, with three wings arranged around a courtyard open to the north. The main buildings and the outbuildings are all surrounded by moats on every side.
A first fortress called Niederalme was built in 1506 by Gerhard von Meschede, while the current baroque structure was raised in the first half of the 18th century. The shift from a defensive stronghold to a country residence shows how the role of the nobility changed over time.
The southern facade carries coat of arms stones from the Meschede and Bruch families, placed there by the nobles who once owned the estate. A visitor walking along the outside wall can still read these carved marks today.
The castle is private and cannot be entered, but the exterior is clearly visible from the paths and meadows around the grounds. Walking the perimeter gives the best overall view of the facades and the moats.
The grounds hold a sandstone statue of Saint John of Nepomuk, standing about 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 meters) tall, which is rare for a private estate of this size. Saint John of Nepomuk is the patron saint of bridges and water, making his placement next to a moated castle a deliberate choice.
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