Although Gelsenkirchen is documented as early as 1150, the city is nevertheless a product of 19th-century industrialisation. Only a handful of historic buildings, such as the castles of Horst, Berge and Luettinghoff, commemorate the city’s pre-war past.
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Today,
Gelsenkirchen is home to almost 300,000 people and boasts an advanced infrastructure, attractive housing and a large number of green spaces and recreation areas. In addition, thereâs a wealth of cultural, sporting and leisure activities on offer.
Berge Castle, this late baroque, early classical period building provides the focal point in an oasis of green. It was first mentioned in 1264, on the occasion of its being built by
Gerlach von Struenkede. After changing hands several times, it was modernised in around 1700 to create a comfortable manor house.
Schloss Berge took on its present form when it was greatly extended between 1785 and 1788 by the architect
. The lake, castle and park have become a popular recreation area in an otherwise industrial setting. After being thoroughly modernised in 1977 and 1978 to meet increasing demands on comfort and new operational requirements, the castle is today used as a venue for meetings and as a restaurant. Viewed from the outside, though, it retains the uniform appearance of a late 18th-century building. Its baroque, farm and landscape gardens are a great place to go for a walk or simply spend some time. The traditional Schloss Berge Summer Festival takes place at the end of July every year.In the north of Gelsenkirchen, amid a designated lowland nature reserve set with 300-year-old oak trees, lies Luettinghoff moated castle. First documented in 1308, it is the oldest historic monument in town.This architecturally significant complex consists of the castle itself, an outwork to the front and a large garden area, each of which are surrounded by ponds. While the main building remained purely a fortification, the outwork was replaced by a building complex whose layout mirrors that of the residential and commercial buildings of the 18th century. This part of the castle was bestowed the title of exemplary building in North Rhine-Westphalia in 1994.Built in 1735, the Bleckkirche is Gelsenkirchenâs oldest church. It is home to a notable treasure in the history of art in the form of a renaissance altar from the year 1574 that depicts a Westphalian Last Supper. Extensively refurbished between 1992 and 1996, the Bleckkirche is today resplendent as never before.
