Wasserburg Ellershausen

The ruins of the former Wasserburg Ellershausen stand in the village of Ellershausen, now part of Frankenau in northern Hesse. A water-filled moat once surrounded the medieval stronghold built by the local lords of Ellershausen around 1214. The von Huhn family took control in 1264 and held it until the late 16th century. After passing through several noble families, the estate reached the von Drach line in 1728 through marriage. By 1900 the moat had been filled in and parts of the ring wall reused for farm buildings. The site’s long history reflects wider changes in the region. Ellershausen itself appears in records from 1016, showing the village’s early importance. Religious disputes during Philipp Wilhelm von Dersch’s lifetime in the late 17th century showed how local conflicts mirrored larger divisions. The Dreißigjährigen Krieg left its mark in 1631 when the moat still defended the site. Later, the 19th-century filling of the ditch and dismantling of the wall marked the end of its military role. Today a guesthouse occupies the former castle grounds. The street called Zum Adligen Hof marks the approach from the Lengeltalstraße and Allendorfer Straße junction. Visitors see no trace of the moat or walls, only the modern building and the quiet village crossroads. The surrounding countryside remains peaceful, giving little hint of the centuries when armed knights and noble families shaped this place.