© Münsterland e.V. / Philipp Fölting
Stromberg Castle Ruin
Built over a thousand years ago on a steeply sloping ridge, the Stromberg castle ruins in Oelde offer a spectacular view far out into the Münsterland park landscape. The only hilltop castle in the region was once built as a fortress by the bishops of Münster to protect their territory - and today it is a diverse and very popular destination for excursions.
Founded by Charlemagne
According to legend, Charlemagne founded the massive fortress. Inside the castle, the Church of the Holy Cross, which still exists today and houses the precious Holy Cross of Stromberg, was consecrated in 1344. On the orders of the Elector and Bishop Maximilian Franz, the castle was demolished from 1780 onwards; only parts of the circular wall, a castle mansion and the Paulus Tower from the 15th century have survived.
Venue of the Oelde open-air theatre
Today, the mighty ruins of the hilltop castle are not only a beautiful destination for a day out for the whole family, but they also serve as the backdrop for the Oelde open-air theatre: in the summer months, fantastic plays for young and old are performed on the steps of the Holy Cross Church.
From the past to the present
Today, only parts of the ring wall, a castle mansion and the Paulus Tower from the 15th century remain. A coat of arms stone from 1564 can still be found at the castle gate. A special sight is the Gothic Church of the Holy Cross, which is located at the highest point of the former castle complex. The church is still an important pilgrimage site today, thanks to the Holy Cross: an image of grace from the period 1080 to 1100. It is a Byzantine crucifix. On Christ's chest is a small medallion containing a particle of the cross. The mighty ruins of the hilltop castle are now the setting for the Oelde open-air theatre.
Insider Tip | Stromberg Castle Ruins
The Stromberg Plum© Münsterland e.V.
A hot culinary tip is a trip to the orchards around Stromberg. The Stromberg plum has become a real celebrity: Every year in April, the plum blossom around Stromberg attracts numerous onlookers with its white sea of blossoms. Things get exciting from September onwards, when the town turns "golden blue", as the people of Stromberg affectionately call the harvest season.
The Stromberg plum itself was brought to the region from southern climes around 1790. The southerner immediately felt at home in its new homeland: today, about 15,000 plum and damson trees belong to the "Stromberger Pflaume g.U." variety. And as befits a castle community, the village crowns a real plum queen every year at the plum market, which always takes place in September.
Listen in! Podcast "SO OR SO" | The Stromberg Castle Ruins
"SO OR SO - your Münsterland". In this podcast from Germany's most beautiful region, you will experience a short acoustic excursion to the Stromberg castle ruins in Oelde. Let Münsterland reporter Dennis Burk take you there and tell you more about the historic buildings and the Kreuzkirche. And the Stromberg castle ruins also have a lot to offer as an excursion destination for the whole family. Curious? Take ten minutes and listen in:
Münsterland bewegt | Stromberg Castle Ruin
Map | Stromberg Castle Ruins
Service & information about the Stromberg castle ruins
- 100 Castles Route
- Admission free / free of charge
- Outdoor
- Park at the house
- Dogs allowed
Castle ruin Stromberg
- Mondayganztägig
- Tuesdayganztägig
- Wednesdayganztägig
- Thursdayganztägig
- Fridayganztägig
- Saturdayganztägig
- Sundayganztägig
Die Öffnungszeiten gelten für die Außenanlage.
Admission outdoor area
- Free admission:0,00 €
Events at the Stromberg castle ruins
Places of interest around the Stromberg castle ruins
My castle grounds are open to the public. With my nearby green spaces or forests, I offer you a great nature experience.
Castles & Palaces Münsterland App© Münsterland e.V.
Get your digital guide on your smartphone! Get to know the historic estates from a whole new perspective with interactive mini-games, personalised tours by AR guides, hand-picked insider tips and exciting audio tours! Further information on the content and development of the app can be found here.
Download the app for free:
Münsterland Tourism Centre© Münsterland e.V./Anja Tiwisina
Spread the word! #münsterland #thegoodlife