Roßlau Water Castle

Dessau-Roßlau, Germany, Germany

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Roßlau Water Castle is a medieval moated fortress with elements dating to the 12th century in the Roßlau district of Dessau-Roßlau, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, originally built on a Slavic settlement site to control the Elbe River region.

First documented in 1358, it features a prominent residential tower, ring wall, three surrounding moats (one still visible), and unique medieval hypocaust heating, serving as a noble seat for families like the von Schlichting before passing to Anhalt princes who expanded it through the 16th century.

Damaged in the Thirty Years' War, rebuilt with neoclassical touches in the 19th century under Duke Heinrich, and further altered after fires and wartime use, it now belongs to the city and hosts cultural events like Burgtheatersommer amid its patchwork of architectural styles.