Archaeological work at Sparrenburg Castle, located in western Germany, has revealed a staircase descending deep into a medieval moat. Experts from the Westphalia-Lippe Regional Association (LWL) believe the staircase may have once led to a previously unknown cellar within the castle’s grounds.
The Sparrenburg, first documented in 1256, has been a focal point of archaeological study in recent years. These efforts have uncovered significant insights into the castle’s medieval origins and its transformation into an early modern fortress. In the southern section of the site, excavation teams recently uncovered the remnants of a medieval staircase leading into what was once the castle’s defensive moat.
“This staircase began at a doorstep, the beginning of which was still visible during the excavation and which came from a passage through the former ring wall of the medieval castle,” explained Marianne Moser, the excavation director.
The staircase, partially damaged by modern construction activities, was built to descend into the moat, which was originally at least two metres deep. However, the excavation has yet to reach the bottom of the moat.
A Glimpse into Medieval Castle Design
The moat surrounding Sparrenburg Castle, carved laboriously by hand into limestone in the 13th century, was initially intended as a defensive barrier. The limestone excavated from the moat was repurposed to construct the castle’s ring wall and initial stone structures.
Archaeologists suspect the staircase may have been built during a period when the moat no longer served a defensive function. “It is more likely, however, that it ended in a previously unknown cellar. This was then in the already filled moat after the Sparrenburg was expanded into a fortress in the early 16th century. This mystery will only be solved when the floor or the remains of the room expected here are recorded,” explained Dr. Sven Spiong, head of the LWL Archaeology branch.
When the castle was transformed into a fortress in the 16th century, the moat was filled in and its course became unrecognizable. This discovery offers a rare glimpse into the original spatial design of the castle and highlights the potential for uncovering more about Sparrenburg’s medieval construction history, even during routine ground interventions.
Top Image: View of the remains of the stairs into the former moat or younger cellar. In the middle at the top you can see the passage into the outer bailey. Photo by EggensteinExca / Marianne Moser
Subscribe to Medievalverse
