Wasserschloss Werdringen

The Werdringen moated castle museum is located in the Vorhalle district of Hagen - in the Ruhr Valley at the foot of the legendary Kaisberg. The former aristocratic residence from the 13th century is surrounded by a unique natural and historical landscape. There are numerous paleontological, archaeological and historical monuments in the immediate vicinity of the castle complex.For over 200 years, the Hagen area has been one of the most important archaeological sites in Germany. The history of the museum's extensive collections dates back to the early 19th century. Some of the finds are of international significance for palaeontology and archaeology. Archaeological and palaeontological finds from the region are presented in the exhibition.The display collection includes the oldest fossils in Westphalia, early land plants from the Middle Devonian at Volme and Lenne, giant prehistoric insects from the Upper Carboniferous in Hagen and dinosaurs from the Cretaceous in Sauerland. The archaeological finds range from Neanderthal stone tools and Paleolithic and Mesolithic hunter groups to Neolithic and Metal Age cave and open-air finds and relics of castles from the High Middle Ages.The museum displays the oldest remains of modern humans from the post-glacial period in Europe to date. They are up to 13,000 years old and were discovered in the Blätterhöhle cave near Hagen.