Schloss (pl. Schlösser) is a German word for a building similar to a château, palace or manor house; or what in the British Isles would be known as a stately home. Most Schlösser were built after the Middle Ages as residences for the nobility and not as true fortresses, although they were often originally fortified; the usual German term for a true castle is Burg and for a fortress is Festung.
Like a castle, a Schloss is often surrounded by moats and is then called a Wasserschloss (water castle). Other types include the Jagdschloss (hunting lodge) and the Lustschloss (pleasure castle).
Contents |