Haus Kemnade, Hattingen

Haus Kemnade is a moated castle in the Blankenstein district of Hattingen. Its name - derived from the word "Kemenate" - shows that the noble residence stood out from the surrounding farmhouses at that time by at least one brick chimney.

Until 1486, the estate was located on the northern bank of the Ruhr on Stiepel's local territory. After a flood in that year, however, the river changed its course in a northerly direction, so that Haus Kemnade has since been located separately from the village in the southern Ruhrauen. For a long time it was only accessible via a ferry connection before today's Kemnade Bridge was built in 1928.

As a fief of the House of Lippe, it had been in the possession of the von Dücker family since the 13th century. They were followed by the von der Recke family as feudatories. After a fire in 1589, the owners had it gradually rebuilt until 1704. At the end of the 18th century a farmyard was added.

Although located on Hattingen territory, Haus Kemnade is now the property of the city of Bochum, which acquired it from Ludwig von Berswordt-Wallrabe in 1921. The complex is home to several museums and a restaurant.