Brünninghausen Castle

In the 13th century, the property belonged to the families “von Brünninghausen” and “von Stark”. Around 1300, the Nordkerkes had a moated castle built. From 1483, the complex became the residence of the von Romberg family, whose possessions extended over numerous farms and extensive forest land. Conrad Philipp von Romberg renovated the castle in 1681 and had the gatehouse built. In the 19th century, the castle was known as the residence of Baron Gisbert II von Romberg, who served as the model for the novel character of the “Toller Bomberg”. During the Franco-Prussian War of 1870/71, Brünninghausen served as a military hospital. After the family moved in 1904, the city of Dortmund acquired the complex in 1927. In World War II, the castle was destroyed in 1945 during a bombing raid.