Dig at medieval castle in Germany unearths mystery staircase leading into moat. See it
Situated on a forested hilltop in northern Germany, Sparrenburg Castle has towered overthe surrounding city for over 700 years. But, as archaeologists were recently reminded, even such a prominent site has its secrets.
Archaeologists started digging at Sparrenburg Castle in Bielefeld ahead of some construction work, the Westphalia-Lippe Regional Association said in a Dec. 2 news release. The dig focused on a section of the castle’s old moat, a defensive structure built in the 13th century but filled in during the 16th century.
As they dug, archaeologists unearthed a forgotten staircase leading into the old moat. A photo shows the partially uncovered steps.
The medieval stairs originally started inside the castle’s defensive wall and led into the moat, but their destination is a mystery, officials said. Archaeologists suspect the steps could have served a maintenance purpose or led to a cellar or other lost building at the bottom of the moat.
So far, excavations have reached about 6 feet into the old moat but haven’t reached the bottom, archaeologists said. The project is ongoing.
Sparrenburg Castle began as a moderately sized defensive structure in the 13th century before expanding into a military fortress in the 16th century, according to the Sparrenburg Castle’s website. The structure fell into disrepair in the 1800s before being reconstructed and opened to the public as a tourist attraction.
One of the castle’s most unique features is its underground tunnel system of which about 1,000 feet remain. A YouTube video shared by Bielefeld city officials shows the castle and its tunnels.
Bielefeld is a city in northwestern Germany and a roughly 240-mile drive west from Berlin.
Google Translate was used to translate the news release from Westphalia-Lippe Regional Association’s Archaeology Department and the website of Sparrenburg Castle.
This story was originally published December 9, 2024 at 11:24 AM with the headline "Dig at medieval castle in Germany unearths mystery staircase leading into moat. See it."
