Franklin Castle (Hannes Tiedemann House), Cleveland OH

I'm pretty sure that most people who have lived in Northeast Ohio, for an extended period of time, have dreamed about visiting the inside of Franklin Castle. Well, now you can!

My family and I went on a tour of the House last night and it was an evening we will never, ever forget.

When you cross the threshold, into the house, you are immediately transported into a mystical world. Jens, one of the owners of the house, and our tour guide, took us on a lengthy tour of each floor of the house, as well as the grounds. Most of the areas we went to have been beautifully and lovingly restored.
We got to experience creaky stairs; dark, candlelit sitting areas; a walk on a Lover's Balcony; a very creepy room in the basement; and the grand ballroom on one of the upper floors.

A great time was had by everyone in our group. We couldn't have asked for a more gracious and generous host and guide. The House took care of the rest.

A few cautionary words: the stairs going to the Servant's Quarters have very narrow steps. Also, there is a point, on the tour, where we stepped out of a bedroom window, onto a Lover's Balcony, and then back through another bedroom window. Both of these little obstacles are safe, and Jens offers alternate ways to get to these areas.

Highly recommend this amazing tour to anyone living in, or traveling through, Cleveland, Ohio!

Jens was our tour guide, tour was longer than posted (which was amazing). We got to hear so much history and see all the wonderful restoration work they’ve done. We’re definitely going again!

I have wanted to see the inside of this house for years so I was thrilled when I had the opportunity to tour the castle. Our guide was amazing! He was very knowledgeable about the history of the home and he genuinely seems to enjoy doing the tours. The Castle is BEAUTIFUL! Book a tour, you won't be disappointed!

We went for a tour of the Franklin Castle. It was suppose to last an hour but far proceeded that to about 2.5 hours. No complaints here, we learned so much about the history of the house and the previous owners all the way up to the friends who own it now and who are in the process of a complete restoration of the castle. Living in Cleveland and a past Ohio City Resident, I would drive past the house and wonder about the stories and wish someone would open it for tours so we could see what it looked like inside. The currently restored levels really give you a feeling of what the house would have been like in the beginning and the guide, who is one of the owners really knows all the history of the house and is excited to share that with you. I would love to learn more about the house and look forward to when they start offering more tours. I would highly suggest this tour to locals if you've ever wondered about the house or to people from out of town, if you want to see an original house that is being restored.

Our paranromal group did an over night investigation and the castle exceeded all expectations. Jen was an amazing guide who truly cared about the property and the history that goes into it. The place is kept in fantastic condition and we got plenty of paranormal activity that we cannot wait to share.

Jens was our host for the hour tour and was absolutely wonderful. We learned so much and had a fantastic time! The castle is amazing!

The Franklin Castle hosted our wedding, the first public wedding ever at the Castle. The experience was amazing. We kept it small, under 25 people. The food was great, and the host was even better. We stayed overnight and had free reign of the castle. Emma was amazing, attending to our every need and constantly working to make it a great experience. The inside of the castle has been beautifully restored and is perfect for anyone looking to experience a spooky wedding.

Amazing and shockingly great! Best tour experience our family has ever had over years of travel.way better than expected. 1000% worth it.

I have always been intrigued by this castle growing up nearby and walking by it as a teenager. I was ecstatic to learn that the current owner was offering tours. I went on the tour last night with a friend and WOW, what an experience. The new owner is fascinating and what he has done to the castle will blow your mind. Such a great opportunity, highly recommend.

We spent the night at Franklin Castle. A place we have all been dying to see. Jens was our host; he’s the most interesting storyteller and knows every bit of the history of the home. We spent the night and Jens was still giving us a tour late into the evening which was terrific fun. If you get the chance, you’ve got to experience this. It’s not a history lesson, it’s a journey. You won’t regret this opportunity. We had outstanding accommodations and a fantastic dinner. Thanks Jens, you are an outstanding host and owner.

Wonderful tour, you can tell the owner is very passionate about this place. History was interesting and the castle was beautiful!

We had a wonderful time staying the night at the castle. Jens was an excellent host. Very peaceful and tranquil. We experienced a couple unexplainable events but nothing harmful or disturbing. Highly recommend this once in a lifetime experience.

We were in cleveland for a few days and thought this would be a fun thing to add to our list for an evening. It did not disappoint…. Jens spent so much time with us and gave us a very thorough tour. I am so glad we went.

I wish the owner would give people an opportunity to look around the property. I understand not wanting to show the inside, at least want to admire the architecture.

What can I say? ! My Mom, my entire life, has always talked about the castle. The history, the architecture, the horror stories, everything about it! Well after being obsessed with it forever my sister and I finally had the opportunity to take her on a tour!
The group that was supposed to be with us had to reschedule due to traffic, so our group tour became a private tour!
From the minute we met Jens (The host) we could tell this was going to be a night we wouldn't forget!
Walking into the gathering area, into a thin layer of fog while an old record played, with candles lit everywhere. It was like we walked into a time machine!
Jens gave us the treatment. Our hour long tour was almost 3 hours! He spent every minute explaining everything about the castle. Owners (old and new), and every story that went along with them, why each room is the way it is, or why it was, then letting us in on secrets that only certain people know!
His enthusiasm and passion for Franklin Castle was obvious and I'm so happy him and his team decided to fix up this piece of Cleveland history for everyone to enjoy!
I won't go into details about the inside because there are no words to describe this labyrinth and it's beauty. You just HAVE to experience it all yourself!
When you go tell them Tina, Britney, and Abby sent you

I can’t recommend this experience enough. If you’re intrigued, definitely go find out for yourself!

I had the privilege of staying at Franklin Castle over the weekend, and I am still in awe of the captivating experience. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted by Jens, our knowledgeable tour guide and resident of the castle. His passion for the history of this magnificent place was evident as he regaled us with fascinating tales and led us on an unforgettable journey through time.

Jens's dedication to the castle's restoration for the past 10 years was truly inspiring. His love for preserving its rich heritage was palpable in every conversation we had. It was evident that he poured his heart and soul into every nook and cranny, ensuring that its eerie charm and historical significance remained intact.

What truly amazed me was Jens's kindness and genuine concern for our comfort. He consistently went above and beyond to ensure we were well taken care of during our stay. From offering helpful recommendations for nearby attractions to making sure we had everything we needed, he made us feel like honored guests in his haunted abode.

One aspect that truly impressed me was Jens's openness to our exploration. As a paranormal enthusiast, I had brought along my own equipment to investigate the supernatural phenomena rumored to occur within the castle's walls. Jens not only accommodated this but also encouraged our exploration, allowing us to freely immerse ourselves in the mysterious atmosphere without any reservations.

The experience at Franklin Castle was worth every penny. The opportunity to spend a night in this atmospheric and historically significant landmark was truly unparalleled. The feeling of being enveloped by its haunting ambiance, walking in the footsteps of history, and perhaps even encountering something otherworldly is an adventure like no other.

I am already eagerly looking forward to my return next year, knowing that another enchanting stay at Franklin Castle awaits. If you're seeking an immersive, spine-tingling experience steeped in history, this is the place for you. Thank you, Jens, for your expertise, hospitality, and dedication to preserving this hidden gem.

I have lived in Ohio all my life and worked and dined in Cleveland for many years. The Franklin Castle was always fascinating to me. I always wished I could afford to buy it and renovate it back to its former glory as it originally was.
For many years I saw it sit empty and couldn't believe it didn't have a serious buyer. When I found out it had been bought and was being renovated I was ecstatic. I hoped once it was completed the new owner would have tours.
As soon as I found out Jens was doing tours, I booked a tour for me and my childhood friend. Both of us have always been fascinated with castles and other historic buildings all over the country.
Jens is the perfect owner and tour guide. He was very informative, knowledgeable about the castles history and the history of all the previous owners and area.
I honestly believe that it sat vacant until the right person came along and Jens is that person. It takes a lot, not only to take on such a huge project of renovating something of that size and all the many details involved but also understanding and MANAGING the energy of the castle and of those that have previously lived there and passed on.
Jens, keep doing what you do and I thank you for giving the castle "life" again.
I most definitely recommend everyone to take the tour or even stay the night.if you dare!
Thank you for an awesome tour.

We waited 30 mins in the main room before the tour guide Jens came out. What was supposed to be an hour tour ended up being over three hours. Jens spoke more about the architecture of the house and renovations done on it than anything paranormal.overall the house was beautiful and an interesting place to be, but the tour was excruciatingly long and slow.

The history of this place is amazing and unbelievable! The energy i felt in this building was so insane and beyond heavy, constantly felt as if someone was behind me following me, and breathing down my neck! So many hidden rooms and the design is so beautiful in a gothic old fashioned way! If you can sense spirits and energies like i do this is a place to visit as it is super haunted! Our tour guy was super informative and polite and made it all the more fun and interesting.you are allowed to take pictures in the main room but anything beyond phones must stay put away, which sucks but then again i understand as they don't want to spoil the rest for other people in the future. Lots of original furniture and belongings of previous owners there.time capsule.amazing is all i can say! A must see