31/05/2026
Vondern Castle in Oberhausen is closely linked to the legend of the "Green Knight," who abducted Jolant, the wife of Wessel von Loe. This figure is a central element of the local castle legends and is represented on the grounds by a steel sculpture created by the artist Andreas Wencel.
According to the legend, around the year 1400, the castle's inhabitants witnessed a strange series of events:
1. Since the tragic death of his wife, Wessel von Loe had lived in complete seclusion from the outside world, accompanied only by his four-year-old daughter. One day, Johann von Galen demanded entry, invoking the sacred bond of their shared military service. The drawbridge had to be lowered. Seated by the cozy fireplace, Wessel allowed his old comrade-in-arms a glimpse into his tormented heart.
2. He recounted how his wife, having fallen under the spell of a diabolical sorcerer, had run across the "Waghalsbrücke" (Daredevil Bridge)—only to be pulled from the waters of the Emscher River three days later as a co**se. Now, he lived in constant fear for the safety of his young daughter.
3. Johann von Galen, well aware that only brides were immune to the sorcerer's magic, proposed to his friend that little Jolant be betrothed to both of his own sons. She would then be free to choose between them once she reached the age of fifteen. Wessel agreed. The betrothal ceremony was solemnized and blessed by the elderly parish priest of Osterfeld.
4. Years passed. Jolant faced the task of choosing between the strong Johann and the slender Dietrich. Deferring to her fathers' wishes, she chose the stronger of the two. Suddenly, however, yielding to a deeper impulse of her heart, she threw herself into Dietrich's arms. At that moment, a terrible suspicion arose in Wessel: could his daughter already have fallen under the sorcerer's spell? A walk across the enchanted bridge would serve as the ultimate test of her innocence.
5. Evening fell. Unseen by anyone, Jolant slipped out of the castle, intending to make her way through a secret passage and across the Waghalsbrücke to put her innocence to the test. But an old woman had been watching them. She hastened to the castle to report what had occurred. Everyone rushed out to save Jolant. The elderly priest’s warning went unheeded. With drawn sword—to the horror of all—Dietrich stormed across the bridge.
6. There, lying before him behind a massive hedge, stood a radiant castle. It appeared utterly deserted. Yet, in a hall of fairytale beauty, fully a thousand maidens were dancing around a Green Knight. Dietrich searched for Jolant, however, in vain. Unexpectedly, he found himself standing before a heavy door, guarded by two hulking squires.
7. With a single blow, Dietrich struck one to the ground and sent the other fleeing. Then he smashed open the door. There lay Jolant, sleeping in her pristine beauty upon a daybed. Gently, he lifted her up to carry her out of the enchanted castle. But then, with a sneer, the Green Knight stepped forth to confront him.
8. When, after a brief but fierce struggle, Dietrich ran him through, black blood gushed from the knight’s heart. Scarcely had the daring hero departed that eerie place with his precious burden when the castle collapsed. Guided by a white dove, Dietrich reached the Waghals Bridge.
9. Selflessly, he sought to place Jolant into his brother’s arms. But his brother—equally noble in spirit—declined. And so, a joyous wedding procession made its way toward Vondern.
10. Jolant became Dietrich’s wife. Once the wedding had been celebrated with great pomp, Johann laid aside his knightly attire and built himself a hermitage.
