Gazing upon Haus Ruhr, one can’t help but wonder about the tales hidden within its walls. Haus Ruhr is a protected building ensemble with a rich past. This former moated castle sits in Schwerte-Wandhofen, North Rhine-Westphalia. It is located near where the Wannebach flows into the Ruhr.
Constructed in 1455, Haus Ruhr was built by Jan von Boyle zu Wetter. He built it for his son-in-law, who was from the noble family of Neheim.
In 1734, the von Höveln auf Sölde family acquired the castle. Then, in 1839, a private citizen from Cologne bought the property. After that, the owners changed frequently. Wars in that era meant the castle was designed for defense. The buildings you see today mainly date from the 17th and 19th centuries.
Interestingly, Haus Ruhr served as a children’s and youth home in the mid-1970s.
Jürgen Stöhr purchased the castle in 1987. From 1988 to 1995, he had it renovated to house the Ruhrakademie.
Now, let’s talk about a true natural landmark. In the castle courtyard stands one of North Rhine-Westphalia’s oldest horse chestnut trees. People call it the Mother of Chestnuts. It is over 200 years old. It boasts a diameter of 610 cm, a circumference of about 17 meters, and a height of about 20 meters.
There are many stories about its origin. The most interesting one says that Count von Nesselrode, an envoy of Frederick the Great, brought a handful of spiky chestnut fruits from a mission in Persia. During a rest at Haus Ruhr, he supposedly lost one of these fruits from his saddlebags. This is said to be the beginning of the Mother of Chestnuts. It became the first chestnut on native soil.
Adding to the charm, the landscape garden was designed in the English style in the 19th century.
Today, Haus Ruhr is home to the Ruhrakademie. This private institute focuses on design, art, and media. It emphasizes close support in a focused environment. The academy aims to provide an education that goes beyond mere craft. Students use experimental approaches to develop new perspectives. They question existing norms through their work.
Haus Ruhr and the Ruhrakademie combine history with innovation. The academy trains responsible and independent designers. Its graduates bring innovative ideas to the region. They enrich the art, media, and design scenes.
Haus Ruhr stands as a testament to the blend of historical significance and modern creativity. It is a place where the past enriches the present.