small dominion of Altendorf on the ruhr river

There is the small lordship of Altendorf on the ridges in a river bend above the Ruhr, which winds its way towards the great Rhine. Opposite, within view, on the other side of the river lies the medieval town of Essen.
Altendorf Castle was built in the second half of the 12th century. Courtyards were built around the castle until 1180.
In the late High Middle Ages, coal was mined on a massive scale, enabling the lordship of Altendorf to survive into the early modern period.

By the 16th century, the castle in Altendorf had been converted into a Renaissance palace. The tower was given a prestigious design and a multi-storey palace was built on the north-western side. The outer bailey was fortified with walls and towers. The outer bailey courtyard was surrounded by various farm buildings.

https://hbv-burgaltendorf.de/die-burg