The Motte Altenburg in Altenburg, North Rhine-Westphalia, is a vanished motte-and-bailey castle of the Counts of Jülich and an archaeological monument. Almost nothing remains of the original castle; only the tree-covered earth mound and remnants of the moat are still visible. The fortification was likely a typical motte with a wooden or stone tower on the castle mound and an outer bailey made of palisades and earthen walls. There are some minor wall remnants and a well with a tuff casing. Surrounding the motte mound was a double moat, which has since silted up. To the northeast, there was an outer bailey with foundation remnants of two round towers. Little is known about the castle’s history; it was likely destroyed in the 13th century and not rebuilt. It is unclear whether the motte was established near an existing village or if a new village formed under its protection. After the fortification of Jülich was expanded, the motte was no longer needed. Today, it is a designated archaeological monument.
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