Refuge castle
Temporary fortified retreat for local populations during attack.
A refuge castle, also called a refuge fort, is a defensive structure built like a castle, typically encircled by ramparts. Unlike a permanent fortress, it was not lived in but served as a temporary safe haven for local people during times of war or attack. In the past, these sites were sometimes called giant castles, because people believed giants had built them.
Across Europe, archaeologists have uncovered many large, ancient sites surrounded by earthworks, often more than 100 meters across, which are now understood to be refuge castles. Ancient writers, like Julius Caesar, described similar strongholds used by the Gauls, which he called oppida—though those could also be permanent settlements. Various Germanic and Slavic tribes built similar ringwork systems, with the Slavs continuing this practice well into the Middle Ages. These structures are also known as hillforts, and while earth was the main building material, wood and stone were also used in different construction methods.
Typically, these refuge castles had no towers, though some did include simple gate-tower-like structures. They belonged to unprotected farming communities, offering shelter to the local population during an attack, while the nearby settlements themselves were usually looted and destroyed. Their large size allowed them to store food and supplies for a siege. Later, in the Middle Ages, local farmers built their own versions, sometimes called "farmers' castles," to protect themselves from roving bands of soldiers. These fortifications were much simpler than noble castles, often just earthworks and wooden palisades placed on easily defended hilltops or ridges.
Because most refuge castles were not permanently inhabited, archaeological digs at these sites often yield few artifacts. In the Middle Ages, fortified churches and fortress churches also served as refuge castles. These buildings were used as village churches, but their defensive walls—originally built to protect the churchyard—were upgraded into proper defensive barriers, and even the church tower could be given a defensive role.
- Type
- Defensive structure
- Primary material
- Earth, wood, stone
- Also known as
- Hillfort, Wallburg, Fluchtburg, Volksburg, Bauernburg, Vryburg, Hünenburg
- Period
- Protohistoric to Middle Ages
- Region
- Europe (especially Germany and Austria)
- Function
- Temporary retreat for local population
Lore & Background
Refuge castles were built by unprotected farming communities and offered protection to the population of the local region in case of a hostile attack, whilst the settlements themselves usually fell victim to plundering and destruction by the aggressors. The large size of refuge castles enabled them to provide stores and supplies in the event of a siege. Later on during the Middle Ages this type of castle was also built by local farmers, providing protection for country folk from marauding bands of troops. Their fortifications generally had little in common with the castles erected by the nobility as residences, but often consisted just of earthworks and wooden palisades sited in easily defensible locations on hilltops or spurs.
Reader's Guide
Refuge castles represent a significant form of collective defense in European history, distinct from permanent noble residences. They were built by and for common people—farming communities and later farmers—to provide temporary shelter during times of war or attack. Archaeological excavations have uncovered many such sites across Europe, often over 100 metres in diameter, surrounded by earthworks. The primary construction materials were earth, wood, and stone, and as a rule they have no towers, though occasional gate tower superstructures occur. Because they were not permanently occupied, excavations often produce little by way of finds. In the Middle Ages, fortified churches and fortress churches also acted as refuge castles, with churchyards upgraded into defensible walls and church towers given defensive functions. The term 'giant castles' (Hünenburgen) reflects folk beliefs that ascribed their origin to giants. Notable examples in Germany include the Heidenlöcher near Deidesheim, the Grotenburg in the Teutoburg Forest, and the Eresburg. In Austria, a refuge castle near Duel/Paternion in Carinthia includes a Late Antiquity castellum built around 400 A.D. that also contained an early Christian church.
Did You Know?
- Refuge castles were also called giant castles (Hünenburgen) because their origin was ascribed to giants.
- Many refuge castles are over 100 metres in diameter.
- As a rule they have no towers, but occasionally superstructures resembling gate towers occur.
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