The ruins of the castle Altendorf stands on a peninsula south of the Ruhr in the Essen district Burgaltendorf at an altitude of 100 meters above sea level. It is a moated castle with today verschletem moat and has the largest surviving residential tower - also called Donjon - between the Rhine and the Weser.
Built in the second half of the 12th century in Romanesque style, the complex was rebuilt and extended during the Gothic and Renaissance periods. Owners and owners included the noble families of Vietinghoff-Schell and von Mumm, before the castle came into private hands in the mid-19th century. After it had fallen to a ruin at the beginning of the 20th century, starting from 1903 first precautionary measures, which followed from 1957 to 1960 and from 1962 to 1970 a systematic exposure and restoration of the received building substance.
The castle is now the property of the city of Essen. The outdoor area can be visited freely at any time.
Source: Wikipedia