Villa Hügel

Villa Hügel in Essen was the home of the Krupp family of entrepreneurs from 1873 to 1945. With its 399 rooms in the middle of a 41-hectare Hügel Park overlooking Lake Baldeney, it is much more than the residence of a well-known entrepreneurial family - it is a symbol of industrialization in Germany. Today, Villa Hügel is a lively place of exchange and is open to visitors.

Villa Hügel was built according to Alfred Krupp's ideas and was intended to serve as the family's residence and personal retreat, far away from the noise and heat of the Fried. Krupp. After Alfred Krupp had developed his father's company into one of the most important industrial enterprises of the 19th century, the family moved into the property in 1873 and used the villa with its 399 rooms as a residence and place of representation for festive occasions, where crowned guests of state, international entrepreneurs and politicians were guests. From 1945, the house was confiscated by the Allied Coal Control Commission for seven years.
Villa Hügel and the park have been open to the public since 1953.
Villa Hügel is divided into two wings. The main building, known as the "Big House", which served as the Krupp family's residence, is connected to the "Small House" by a connecting wing. The latter now houses the Krupp Historical Archive and the Krupp Historical Exhibition - a permanent exhibition highlighting the development of the family, the Krupp company and the Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach Foundation, the current owner of the site.
More than 13 million people have visited the industrial monument to date.
Today, Villa Hügel is a place for individual visits: the non-profit Krupp Foundation offers a broad program of events for all generations with a wide range of opportunities for participation. It also hosts the award ceremonies for the science prizes initiated by the foundation, meetings of scholarship holders from international programs and its own exhibitions. The Krupp Foundation has also developed the free Hügel app, a digital companion to rediscover the historic site.
Surroundings
The villa is surrounded by the Hügel Park and Kruppwald forest on the Baldeneysee recreational area. The Brandenbusch housing estate, which is now a listed building, was built in the immediate vicinity for employees of the Krupp company.
Open Hill Day: every 1st Friday of the month - free admission