Schellenstein Castle

Schellenstein Castle is located in the town of Olsberg, in the district of Bigge, in the Hochsauerlandkreis (North Rhine-Westphalia).

Schellenstein Castle, probably built in 1183, was first mentioned in a document in 1270. The first owner of the castle was presumably Gerardus de Bigge. At the end of the 15th century, the castle passed into the possession of the Wrede zum Schellenstein family. In 1664, Otto Friedrich von Padberg married Anna Eva Maria de Wrede.

From that date until the beginning of the 18th century, the castle remained in the possession of the von Padberg family. They then sold the property to Jobst Edmund von Brabeck. In 1838, Baron Franz Wilhelm von Wendt-Papenhausen zu Gevelinghausen bought the castle from Andreas Graf zu Stolberg, the husband of the already deceased Philippine Sophie Maria von Brabeck.

In 1904, Pastor Heinrich Sommer founded the Josefs-Gesellschaft at Schellenstein Castle.

In 1965, the municipality of Bigge acquired the castle from Karl-Josef von Wendt-Papenhausen zu Gevelinghausen. 13 years later, they sold it to Karl Ames from Rösenbeck. After renovation work, the castle was sold again. First to a GbR and then to a real estate agent. The latter sold the building to several owners.