Schloss Baldeney

Could a medieval fortress also be a lakeside retreat? Schloss Baldeney in Essen proves it’s possible. Schloss Baldeney stands proudly on the northern shore of the Baldeneysee. It’s hard to imagine now, but this grand schloss started as a fortified house. Count Adolf I of Mark built the first structure in 1226. The lake that now shares its name wasn’t created until 1933. Before the lake existed, Schloss Baldeney was likely built upon a “motte.” A motte was an early form of castle. It involved an earthen mound topped with a wooden or stone structure. The oldest part of the current schloss is the residential tower. It dates back to the 14th or 15th century. It’s almost square with three stories and a hipped roof. Look closely above the portal. You’ll see the coat of arms of the Freiherren von Bottlenberg, a reminder of one of the families who called this place home. Wings were added to the west and east sides of the tower in the 17th and 18th centuries, respectively. They underwent significant remodeling in the 19th century. Around the same time, a new outbuilding designed in the then-popular Historicist style was built. This building served as the stables and servants’ quarters. Notice its crenellated tower, a playful nod to medieval castles. Nestled beside the outbuilding is a small chapel dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene. It’s a simple, low structure, with a small roof turret. The current appearance of the chapel is a result of 16th-century renovations. The interior, however, dates back to 1821. The columned porch likely also originated in the 19th century. Next to the chapel, a small cemetery enclosed by a low stone wall holds the remains of former schloss owners. The gravestones are now too weathered to decipher. The family von der Leythe were the first recorded owners of Schloss Baldeney. They held the property until 1432. The schloss then passed through various families. Some held important titles, including the Hereditary Marshal of Werden and Treasurer of Essen Abbey. The von Bottlenberg family acquired the property in 1747 and held it until 1968. Schloss Baldeney has served many purposes. It’s been a school camp and, more recently, a popular restaurant. A fire in 2004 tragically destroyed the restaurant. The schloss remained unused for a time. Then in 2011, a local real estate agent bought the property. This marked a new chapter for this historic landmark. Schloss Baldeney is much more than just a beautiful building. It embodies centuries of history. It reflects the changing needs and tastes of its inhabitants.