The Original Purpose of Medieval German Castles

Post category:Germany Fun Facts
Post published:2025-12-20
Post last modified:2025-12-20

Many medieval castles in Germany were not intended as comfortable living spaces.
They were primarily constructed for territorial defense, military control, and the supervision of important trade routes. This is why castles are often located on hilltops or along rivers at strategic points.

Castle architecture prioritized defense over comfort. Small windows, thick stone walls, limited heating, and basic sanitation made everyday life difficult.
As a result, many nobles preferred to live in nearby manors or palaces, using castles mainly for protection, administration, or as symbols of power.

▶ For a structured overview of German castles by federal state and region,
please visit our Complete Guide to German Castles.

Nori

Born and raised in Tokyo, I’ve been living in Germany since 1993. I’m a certified bilingual secretary in Germany and have spent over 25 years working as a top executive assistant for Japanese companies. Thanks to this experience, I’m skilled at organizing information with precision, and my near-native German allows me to share trustworthy insights on German castles based on local sources. I aim to bring together the real atmosphere you won’t find in guidebooks with reliable facts, offering visitors a personal and memorable “journey of the heart."