Burgaltendorf

In 1166, a document from Cologne mentioned “Aldendorpe.” This marked the first recorded mention of Burgaltendorf. Today, we stand in this Essen borough, tracing its rich history. Burgaltendorf’s name evolved over time. Originally, it was simply Altendorf. Upon its incorporation into Essen in 1970, it became Burgaltendorf. This change distinguished it from another Essen borough also named Altendorf. The “Burg” prefix honors the ruins of Altendorf Castle. This castle, likely built between 1160 and 1180, played a significant role in the area’s history. The castle ruins serve as a reminder of Burgaltendorf’s medieval past. The Lords of Altendorf, minor nobility, served as stewards for the Abbess of Essen. They oversaw the Abbess’s kitchens and the Essen market. Their coat of arms, featuring three horse brambles, inspired the current Burgaltendorf emblem. Burgaltendorf sits in the Ruhr Valley. It’s located in a former border area between the County of Mark, Werden Abbey, and Essen Abbey. The Lords of Altendorf resided at Altendorf House, now the ruins we see today. Burgaltendorf is bordered by Horst to the north, Bochum-Dahlhausen to the east, Hattingen-Niederwenigern to the southeast, Byfang to the southwest, and Überruhr to the west. The area boasts a long history of settlement. Archaeological finds, including a stone axe, prove habitation dating back almost 10,000 years. Around 1000-500 BC, pottery remains and post holes indicate further settlements. Roughly 1000 years later, a Germanic settlement existed south of the Ruhr river. Evidence suggests Roman presence in the area just before this Germanic settlement. Around 1500, the use of coal is documented in the castle’s forge and kitchen. This marks an early stage in the history of coal mining in the Ruhr region. The advent of Ruhr shipping in the late 18th century and the construction of the railway boosted the importance of mining. This led to the development of adit mines and deep mines. In 1867, the Altendorf Tiefbau mine saw the first use of a pneumatic drill in mining. Zeche Theodor, the last mine to close in Altendorf in 1968, had the deepest shaft of all Ruhr mines at 1060 meters. Burgaltendorf still retains a village-like atmosphere, despite being part of Essen. Primarily, it features agriculture and scattered residential buildings.