Wasserburg Rückingen, Medieval water castle in Erlensee, Germany.
Wasserburg Rückingen is a medieval water castle in Erlensee near the Kinzig river in Hesse. The rectangular structure has stone defensive walls with a corner round tower and now serves as a heritage museum displaying artifacts from the local area.
The fortress was first documented in 1248 and suffered destruction in 1405 by King Ruprecht. Rebuilding in the 1400s shaped the structure you see today.
The castle shows building styles from different time periods, with most visible parts dating to the early 1400s. You can see these different construction phases in the walls and overall structure.
The site is easily reached by a main road and is maintained by a local historical society that operates a heritage museum. You can visit, but it is wise to check opening times beforehand as access may be limited to certain days or hours.
Excavations in 1988 and 2001 revealed that the original castle was surrounded by a moat about 12 meters wide. This moat was narrowed in the 1400s, showing how the fortifications changed over time.
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