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 is home to the local heritage museum, run by the Geschichtsverein Erlensee e. V. since 1983. Its collection focuses on local history from Rückingen and Langendiebach, and one section displays Roman-era finds from the nearby Kastell Rückingen, especially pottery.

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.

The former moats were directly connected to the Kinzig and are now filled in; they occupied the ground east of today's car park, north of the present street and west of the square in front of the castle. A loophole visible in the wall sits far too low for today's ground level, betraying the old ditch.