From 1873 to 1945, Villa Hügel served as a residence for three generations of the Krupp family and for representing the company. It was set in the wooded part of the Ruhr hills above the Baldeneysee (Baldeney lake) - a particularly charming landscape. In 1873, construction of the park began on the basis of plans by Alfred Krupp, architect Barchewitz and head gardener Bete.
As the terrain included a difference in height of 60 metres, it lent itself to the construction of terrace gardens. The upper and lower gardens were linked by pavilion steps. In contrast to the formal architectonic design of the upper garden, the lower garden was developed in a “landscape” style, with trees, a pool, a grotto, areas of grass and a network of curved paths. Square segments of grass, a grove of linden trees, fountains, patterned bedding, walls, pavilions and an arbour walk running around the outer edge gave the upper garden its character. Krupp had large 50-year-old native shrubs and trees plants planted. Greenhouses and fruit and vegetable gardens were also created.
In later years, Friedrich Alfred Krupp and Gustav and Bertha Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach attached increasing importance to the prestigious nature of the park. Thus, statues and vases were introduced to the upper garden as was ornamental planting. Exotic shrubs made an impact in the lower terrace garden. However, none of this is evident today as the 1961 “revision” shaped the park’s current appearance. Numerous shrubs and buildings which had survived the war undamaged were removed. Today, it is no longer possible to detect the original design from the large areas of landscaped areas and the remains of the old stock of trees. The zoning principle of the park has been lost.
Nevertheless, today’s park invites visitors to take long strolls through a varied landscape of woods and meadows and to see plants of special botanical interest.
