Water Castle Heldrungen

Wasserburg Heldrungen is the only completely preserved fortified moated castle of French fortification architecture in Germany. The first castle was built here at the end of the 12th century, and from 1512 to 1519 the complex was rebuilt into a Renaissance moated castle and the extensive ramparts with two moat systems were constructed. After the Peasants' War battle at Frankenhausen in 1525, Thomas Müntzer was imprisoned here. From the 18th century onwards, the fortress became less and less important. Extensive renovation and reconstruction work began in 1974. Today the castle houses a youth hostel. Guests can embark on a journey back in time to the Middle Ages here, for example archery in the vaulted cellar, boating on the moat around the castle or in the medieval cabinet with lots of interesting facts about the life of knights and damsels.