“RES PUBLICA IN USUM REI PUBLICAE ME FIERI FECIT”. This Latin phrase is etched above the entrance to the Blücherturm. It translates to: “The community had me built for the good of the community.”
Welcome to the Blücherturm! This tower is a Rellinghausen landmark. Today, we will explore its long history.
The Blücherturm was first mentioned in documents in 1567. It served as the court tower for the Rellinghausen Abbey. The abbey existed until 1803. But why is it called Blücherturm? The tower got its name from a local police officer. He resembled the Prussian Field Marshal Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher. People in Rellinghausen called him Blücher. So, the name stuck.
The Blücherturm has served many purposes over the centuries. In the 16th century, it was the site of the Rellinghausen witch trials for 25 years. Thirty-nine people were declared witches or sorcerers. They were executed between 1570 and 1595.
In 1624, 300 Essen farmers freed prisoners from the tower’s dungeon. In 1781, part of the court tower was rebuilt. It cost 300 talers. Another renovation happened in 1787. A gate was built on the ground floor. It housed a fire engine. A wall separated the prison from the engine room. The current gable roof made of timber framing was added.
In 1802, the court moved to Essen. The tower became the “Rellinghausen-Steeler Landgericht.” It was modernized again. It served as a fire station and village prison. The outside staircase was removed. An internal staircase was built. The upper floor and attic were converted into living spaces.
Around 1880, the tower became known as the Blücherturm. This was after the police officer nicknamed Blücher lived there. In 1939, a Hitler Youth group used the tower as a clubhouse. After 1945, the tower was used as apartments, a shop, and a studio. The Falken used the tower as a clubhouse in 1947. In 1948, another renovation took place. The door on the ground floor was closed. The outside staircase was changed. A new internal staircase was added to the ground floor.
In 1960, the tower became a clubhouse for the Scouts. From 1970, the Falken and municipal youth groups used the tower. It stood empty from 1980.
In 1997, the Rellinghausen-Stadtwald association bought the tower. The renovation to its present form was completed in 1998. It cost 320,000 DM. Since 1998, it has hosted exhibitions, conferences, lectures, and archives. The NRW Foundation supported the citizens. The attached ivy trunk is a natural monument in Essen.
The Blücherturm stands as a reminder of Rellinghausen’s rich history. It has been a court, a prison, a fire station, and a home. It is now a cultural center for the community. As you leave, remember the words above the door. This tower was built for the good of all.