Strünkede Castle and Emschertal Museum

Places like these remind us that there was a history in the Ruhr area before coal and steel, one that has very different associations than the 100 years or so of industrial use and development, which is now largely history itself.

The moated castle was first mentioned in a document in 1243, still as a castle, about 100 years before its builders, the noble family of Strünkedes. Their name goes back to the word Strunk for cleared tree remains. The family lived here until the end of the 18th century. Since 1938 the castle has been used for the culture and city history collections of the Emschertal Museum.

A beautiful little moated castle with a lovely park.Everything is very well maintained, and it's right in the heart of the city.There's always something going on there, but you can always find a quiet corner to yourself.