Motte Mergelp on the Duivelsberg

Climb the 75.9 meter high Duivelsberg and you will be rewarded with a beautiful view of the wooded area and the meadows of the floodplains below the moraine. The Duivelsberg nature reserve of the same name is approximately 125 hectares in size and is covered with deciduous trees, including a large collection of sweet chestnuts.

There are many stories about the history of De Duivelsberg. For example, in the 11th century it was the strategic location of a motte (wooden) castle called Mergelp. From the first motte on the edge of De Duivelsberg it was easy to keep an eye on the surroundings.

In addition, the hill has a sacred meaning for many and is still used for ceremonies. There are also stories that women who were accused of being witches, were drowned and bandaged in this place.

This area originally belonged to Germany and was called Wylerberg or Teufelsberg, but was annexed after the Second World War. Unlike the other areas, the Duivelsberg was not returned, but it is still Dutch land property.

The most striking archaeological monument of the Duivelsberg are the remains of a motte castle from the 11th century. This castle was probably built in 1012 by Count Balderik and his wife Adele on the edge of the moraine, overlooking the floodplains of the Waal.

A moth (french moth "lump", "earth sod") is a predominantly wooden castle type, the main feature of which is an artificially created mound with a mostly tower-shaped building. Other German names are Turmhügelburg, Erdhügelburg and Erdkegelburg.

de.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motte_(Burg)