Schloss Schellenberg

Schellenberg Castle sits on a wooded rise in the Ruhr Heights, in the Rellinghausen district of Essen. As one of the rare examples of a former elevated, two-part moated castle, the complex impresses with its extraordinary setting. The castle has been a protected monument since 1984 and is surrounded by the Schellenberger Wald, a forest crossed by several streams. The history of the site goes back to the 12th century, when it was first mentioned in documents. After passing through various owners such as the Lords of Horst, the complex came in 1452 to the Vittinghoff family, known as Schell, who owned it until 1993 and used it as their residence until 1909. Today, the rooms are rented out mainly to business clients.

The architecture of the castle reflects its long building history. The three-part complex is divided into a core castle with an inner and an outer service courtyard. The main building consists of a square residential tower and a stone house from the 14th century, both built of quarry stone masonry. On the ground floor of the stone house is the stately Knights' Hall, with elaborate stucco decoration and a ceiling painting of Flora. The ensemble is rounded out by a Gothic castle chapel, which was remodeled and raised in the 17th century, as well as a Neoclassical residential building from 1820. On the northeast side of the residential tower is an extension crowned by a curved, bell-roofed turret and bearing the alliance coat of arms of the Vittinghoff and Ossenbroek families.

You can also explore the large castle park, laid out in the English landscape style. Its design dates back to the first half of the 19th century, though its origins lie in a Baroque garden of the 17th century. Historic structures have been preserved in the park, including an orangery building and two pleasure pavilions. The Adam & Eve Pavilion marks the western corner, while the Amore Pavilion, which has a cellar, stands on the east side. The Neo-Gothic gatehouse with its round tower at the western end of the outer service courtyard is considered the trademark of the entire complex and bears the coat of arms of the Vittinghoff-Schell family.