Burg Upladen, Medieval castle ruins in Montferland, Netherlands
Burg Upladen is a medieval castle ruin in Montferland, Netherlands, consisting of an artificial mound roughly 60 by 90 meters with remains of a tuffstone tower. Excavations have revealed traces of wooden structures and defensive earthen ramparts that once formed a complex fortification system.
The castle was founded in the medieval period and served as an important seat of power in the region until the 11th century. In 1016, the murder of Count Wichman of Vreden near the site triggered a conflict with Bishop Adelbold II, who subsequently destroyed the fortress.
The name Upladen comes from medieval times and refers to its position on raised ground. The site is now covered by a hotel-restaurant that has integrated the historical location into contemporary use.
The castle mound lies beneath the current Montferland hotel-restaurant, which offers visitors access to explore the historical site. It works best to investigate the location during a hotel visit or gather information beforehand, as it is not freely accessible as a standalone archaeological site.
The castle's artificial mound construction contradicts historical accounts by the chronicler Alpertus von Metz, raising questions about its exact original location. This has led archaeologists to suspect the fortress may have stood in a different place than originally assumed.
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