The Villa Hügel in Essen was home to the industrialist Krupp family from 1873 to 1945. With its 269 rooms, set in the middle of a 28-hectare park overlooking Lake Baldeney, it is far more than simply the residence of a famous entrepreneurial family – it is a symbol of the Age of Industrialisation in Germany.

This is a symbol that you can visit, enter and experience ‒ because the Villa Hügel and the park, with its many paths and sculptures, are open to the public. A permanent exhibition in the so-called Small House  tells the story of the family and the Krupp company. It also houses the Krupp Historical Archive which, thanks to its extensive inventory, serves as a resource for researchers from Germany as well as abroad.

Today, the Villa Hügel is owned by the Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach-Stiftung.

The non-profit Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach-Stiftung is the legacy of Dr.-Ing. E. h. Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach, the last personal proprietor of the company Fried.Krupp AG. In his will, he stipulated that ‘the firm shall be converted into a joint-stock company by means of a foundation that reflects the Krupp enterprise’s commitment to the common good’. Upon his death on 30 July 1967, his entire estate was transferred to the foundation that he had established, which went into operation on 1 January 1968. The Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach-Stiftung uses the proceeds it receives from its share in the corporation exclusively and directly for charitable purposes.

Website Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach-Stiftung (German only)