Villa Hügel

Villa Hügel was built according to Alfred Krupp’s vision and was intended to serve as the family’s residence and private retreat, far from the noise and heat of the Fried. Krupp cast steel works. After Alfred Krupp had expanded his father’s company into one of the most important industrial enterprises of the 19th century, the family moved into the estate in 1873. They used the villa, with its 399 rooms, as a home and a venue for receptions and special occasions attended by crowned heads of state, international business leaders and politicians. From 1945, the house was requisitioned by the Allied Coal Control Commission for seven years.

Villa Hügel and its park have been open to the public since 1953.

Villa Hügel consists of two wings. The main building, known as the “Großes Haus,” served as the Krupp family’s residence and is connected by a connecting wing to the “Kleines Haus.” Today, the latter houses the Krupp Historical Archive and the Krupp Historical Exhibition, a permanent exhibition highlighting the history of the family, the Krupp company and the Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach Foundation, the site’s current owner.

More than 13 million people have visited this industrial heritage site to date.

Today, Villa Hügel is a place for individual visits. The non-profit Krupp Foundation offers a wide-ranging programme of events for all generations, with many opportunities to participate. The venue also hosts awards ceremonies for the scientific prizes established by the Foundation, gatherings for fellows in international programmes and exhibitions of its own. The Krupp Foundation has also developed the free Hügel app, a digital guide to discovering this historic site anew.

Surroundings

Surrounded by Hügel Park and Kruppwald, the villa is located in the Baldeneysee recreation area. The now listed Brandenbusch settlement was built nearby for employees of the Krupp company.

Open Hügel Day: first Friday of every month – free admission