Oberhof Manor

The Oberhof is an early medieval noble residence in the Beeck district of Duisburg.

The Oberhof was founded in the 9th century on the Beeckbach stream and the road to Wesel and Dinslaken. It was a royal administrative seat. Around 900, Otto the Illustrious, Duke of Saxony (880-912), acquired the Beki estate from Werden Abbey. It is certain that by 947 at the latest, the estate had attained Oberhof status over surrounding settlements and farming communities on the Emscher. It was thus already an administrative and judicial seat in the 10th century.

The first known Hofschulte (estate manager), Gerard sculte in dem hove, is recorded in 1341. In the 14th century, the Oberhof was owned by the Vörde family; from approx. 1400 to 1550 by the Lords of Wrede. After that, the estate was so run down that the new Schulte, Heinrich Hannis, had new buildings erected around 1559. Subsequently, the estate came into the possession of various families through marriage.

In 1659, the Oberhof was completely destroyed by fire. New buildings were not erected until six years later. The two-story, white-washed brick main house with curved and stepped gables from 1665 still stands today. A cadastral map from approx. 1730 also shows two rectangular buildings, which are presumably located under the current meadow area.

Since 1933, the Oberhof has been owned by the housing association Rheinische Wohnstätten GmbH. Since 1991, the complex has been a protected monument. Next to the complex, the Beecker Kirmes (fair) has taken place annually since 1549.