Places of interest / Ludwig Galerie at Schloss Oberhausen

Situated close to Rhine-Herne Canal and autobahn 42, the neoclassical Schloss Oberhausen (Oberhausen Castle) lent its name to the local railway station, which was built in 1846, and later to the town. The castle was built between 1804 and 1818 according to the plans developed by the German architect August Reinking for Maximilian Graf von Westerholt-Gysenberg. In 1912 it was bought by the City of Oberhausen.As one of the first museums to re-establish itself after WWII, the Städtische Galerie (Municipal Gallery) opened in the manor of Schloss Oberhausen in 1947. The Städtische Galerie has made a name for itself as a result of its major art and cultural-historical exhibits in addition to important collections including impressionist and expressionist works by artists from the Rhineland, critical realism from the 1970s and the collection of international 19th and 20th century prints. It had already gained national significance through its affiliation with “Ludwig-Institut für Kunst der DDR” (Ludwig Institute for Art from the GDR). Following a phase of extensive reconstruction, it was incorporated as a new institution – Ludwig Galerie – in a worldwide network of museums associated with the name Ludwig. It combines as a “temporary museum” masterpieces of classical and modern art from the collections of Irene and Peter Ludwig. It also creates a relation between major works of applied arts effectively covered in the media, such as caricatures, comics, photography and poster art with the so-called advanced art. A museum shop and Oberhausen's Trausaal (Wedding Hall) are located in rooms of the Kleines Schloss (Small Castle). Schloss Oberhausen became the gateway to the landmark art projects of the Ruhr region as a result of the exhibit “Kunst setzt Zeichen” (Art Points The Way) held during the finale of the Internationale Bauausstellung (IBA – International Exhibition of Architecture and Construction) of Emscher Park. The visitor center at Kleines Schloss provides information about possible trips and excursions to local landmarks. The castle is also home to a permanent exhibit, which is held in its Gedenkhalle (Memorial Hall), covering the “History of persecution and resistance in Oberhausen during Germany's Nazi era”. Documentary exhibits on current topics like peace education and political enlightenment are put on here at regular intervals as well.