Berge Castle (Gelsenkirchen)

The origins of Schloss Berge date back a long way, with the noble family von Berge, a branch of the von Strünkede, first documented as owners of the then castle in 1248. The complex, originally conceived as a fortified house with moats, was inherited as an allodial estate for six generations. In 1433, the last male representative of this line died childless, after which his widow sold the property to Heinrich von Backem from Haus Leythe. After the male line of the von Backem family died out in 1521, Schloss Berge came into the possession of Georg von Boenen through marriage. He had the fortified complex converted into a castle around 1530. The von Boenen family resided in the castle for about 250 years, gaining a position north of the Emscher during this time. Around 1700, an extension was added and a Baroque garden in the French style was laid out.