Stenshofturm, Medieval tower house in Essen, Germany

The Stenshofturm is a medieval residential tower in Essen with thick stone walls, several stories, and a sturdy structure. The building shows the typical construction method of a fortified building that provided protection and served as living space.

The Stenshofturm is a sandstone residential tower from the first half of the 12th century, originally with three storeys. It is thought to have been a Werdener ministerial seat linked to the nearby Hof Rüttenscheid, mentioned in 1215/41. The Stenshof farm is documented in 1386 and 1398; in 1400 Hinrikus Vrowenloff was enfeoffed with the Dienstmanngut To deme Steynhus. Heinrich Stens sold the farm to the city of Essen in 1904, and the tower was secured in its old fabric in 1962/63.

The name Stenshofturm comes from the Stenshof farm, named after the Stens family; "Stens" shifted through Stennes and Stenhus to Steinhaus, meaning stone house. The farm was first documented in 1386 and 1398, and in 1400 Hinrikus Vrowenloff was enfeoffed with the Dienstmanngut To deme Steynhus. Since 2010 the tower has served as an exhibition and seminar venue open to the public.

The tower stands at Külshammerweg 32 on the grounds of the Grugapark in Rüttenscheid; the park charges an admission fee and is open year-round. Since 2010 the tower has served as an exhibition and seminar venue and is open to the public. The Mustergartenanlage im Grugapark e. V. association has looked after the surrounding garden area since 2009.

The name Stenshofturm comes from the Stenshof farm, named after the Stens family; the word Stens shifted through Stennes and Stenhus to Steinhaus, meaning stone house. The farm itself is first documented in 1386 and 1398, and in 1400 Hinrikus Vrowenloff was enfeoffed with the Dienstmanngut To deme Steynhus.