Borbeck Castle

The castle's origins date back to the 9th century, when a Frankish manor of the Essen convent, named Bort(h)beki, was first mentioned. In the 13th century, Abbess Berta von Arnsberg acquired the estate to build the predecessor of the current castle there. From the 14th century onwards, Borbeck became the residence of the Princess-Abbesses and was first referred to as a fortified house or castle in 1372. The complex often served as a refuge, for example, during a convent dispute in 1426. In the 15th century, Abbess Sophia von Gleichen began minting her own coins, the “Borbeck Gulden” and “Borbeck Groschen.” After destruction during the Eighty Years' War, the castle was rebuilt in the 16th century and expanded into a summer residence. In the 17th century, Abbess Anna Salome von Salm-Reifferscheidt moved her residence entirely to Borbeck and had the main house rebuilt in Renaissance style.