Vorburg Castle

A Vorburg, also known as Unterburg, Aussenburg, or outer castle, is a section of a castle that houses structures for managing the facility or providing essential services to its residents. These structures include workshops, stables, granaries, storage rooms, servant quarters, and sometimes brewing or baking facilities. The term Vorburg is also used for the economic complex of castles, and larger castles may have multiple Vorburgen. Typically fortified with its own wall, the Vorburg is separated from the main living area (Kernburg) by a moat, wall, and gate. The Vorburg often forms a defensive buffer and served as a refuge for the surrounding population. Chapels in castles are often located in the Vorburg, doubling as parish churches for the local population. The location of the Vorburg is usually on the access side of the castle, providing an additional layer of protection.