Emschertal-Museum Schloss Strünkede

Current exhibitions

About the museum

Strünkede Castle is first mentioned in a document in 1243; its builders, the Lords of Strünkede, are recorded as early as 1142. Starting in 1591, Jobst von Strünkede had the fortified, moated complex converted into a manor house, which his grandson completed in 1664 as an early Baroque moated palace. After the main line died out, the castle passed by marriage to the von Forell family in 1810, who sold it in 1896 to Harpener Bergbau AG because of mining subsidence damage. It then served, among other things, as a restaurant, military hospital, police quarters and children's home before passing into the ownership of the city of Herne.

The Emschertal-Museum was founded in 1926 by Karl Brandt, who directed it until 1964 and built up its archaeological collection in particular into one of the most important in the Ruhr region. The museum first moved into the castle in the late 1930s and has been permanently based there since 1948. After renovation, the permanent exhibition reopened in 2010.

Today the moated castle is the largest of the three sites of the municipal museum, which also includes the Städtische Galerie im Schlosspark (municipal gallery) and the Heimatmuseum Unser Fritz (local history museum) in Wanne-Eickel. The permanent exhibition "Land und Leute" (Land and People) leads from the cellar up to the attic through the history of the Herne area – from Ice Age animal skeletons and knights' armor to farm tools – and also sheds light on the von Strünkede family.

The ensemble includes the Gothic castle chapel from 1272, the oldest building in the city, with the tombs of the lords of the castle. The Strünkeder Sommer (summer festival) and a medieval spectacle are held in the park every year. In 2026 the museum celebrates its 100th anniversary.

Highlights

• Early Baroque moated castle with moats and castle pond
• Permanent exhibition "Land und Leute" on the history of the Herne area
• Ice Age animal skeletons, knights' armor and farm implements
• Gothic castle chapel from 1272, Herne's oldest building
• Weddings in the fireplace room and the castle chapel

Permanent exhibitions

• Land und Leute – A cultural-history tour through the castle from prehistory to the beginning of industrialization, supplemented by the history of the castle and the von Strünkede family.

Founded

1926

Operated by

Stadt Herne

Admission & discounts

Free admission: International Museum Day and Tag des offenen Denkmals (Heritage Open Day)

The Städtische Galerie (€2.50) and the Heimatmuseum Unser Fritz (€1.50) charge separate admission.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

According to the city of Herne, only the first floor and basement of the castle are wheelchair-accessible.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Creative workshops for children and young people (including "Kultur für Kids") as well as programs for families, schools, and kindergartens.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A42.

Amenities & dining

Tours for people with dementia and their companions.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

Civil weddings in the castle's fireplace room (€75 surcharge, fixed dates through the Herne registry office), church weddings in the castle chapel (€180); a historical wedding tour can be booked afterward.

Plan your visit