Ruined water castle in Vehlefanz, near Berlin, Germany.
Burg Vehlefanz is a castle ruin located in Vehlefanz, a district of Oberkrämer in Brandenburg, Germany, about 15 kilometers northwest of Berlin. Originally a 14th-century water castle, it features a rare motte structure with a tower mound and remnants of brick walls.
Burg Vehlefanz is a castle ruin located in the district of Oberkrämer, Brandenburg, approximately 15 kilometers northwest of Berlin, Germany. Originally a water castle from the 14th century, it is now a ruin with only a tower and a small section of brick wall remaining. The site features a motte, a type of fortification rare in the region, with a tower mound over 7 meters high, a base diameter of 62 meters, and a plateau diameter of 39 meters. The moat, which was about 7 meters wide, was mostly filled in by 1897. Historically, the castle was associated with the noble families of the area, including the von Bredow and von Redern families. The latter constructed a new water castle when the original became uninhabitable. In 1786, a new administrative building was erected using stones from the old water castle, which briefly served as Napoleon's headquarters in 1812. The name Vehlefanz may derive from the Slavic words "velij" (large) and "vas" (beard). Today, the site is recognized as an architectural heritage monument, preserving its historical significance and offering a glimpse into the medieval past of the region.
