A few words about Essen

The River Ruhr flows along the Ruhr region, crossing one of the oldest and most famous German cities, Essen. The city has gained its reputation of a national urban and industrial center, ever since the mining and steel production industries were started in the early years of the 19th century. Today the city of coal and cast steel hosts the headquarters of some of the biggest German companies, such as RWE AG, RAG Aktiengesellschaft, E.on-Ruhrgas AG and others. It has a busy atmosphere and lively business life. Essen generates some of the most important industry and business events in the country, such as the Essen Trade Fair, one of the top ten expos all over Germany. Still this rushing progress vision of Essen is just one of its many faces. For many, most amazing is the fact that the modern city heading into the future with accelerated pace celebrated its 1150th birthday in 2002. Back in 852 a convent for the ladies of nobility was founded on the site where the Burgplatz is set today. For the next 1000 years Essen was ruled by the abbesses, until industrial revolution turned it into the miracle of progress of 19th century Europe. The cathedral of Essen, witnessing the dark years of the Middle Age and the grandeur of the Church, is one of the oldest and most beautiful in the country competing with the cathedrals of Cologne and Aachen. Among other most fascinating buildings stands the Synagogue reminding the years of terror during World War II. It is set today as a forum of commemoration.
Since the dawn of Essen's industrial background the first factories and collieries were transformed into museums to tell the success story of a city that has fought for its own dream. The Zollverien Colliery was listed in 2001 as UNESCO World Heritage site and welcomes tourists for a trip along the history of coal industry. But as Essen has always been unique in its energetic liveliness and open-mind, it invites to a not museum like site. The Colliery shelters today a Design Centre NRW, a Choreographic Centre NRW, workshops, studios and art studios that give the impression of a heart still beating with the vibes of the past heading to the future. Another former industry site, the Carl Colliery in Altenessen, has followed a fascinating faith. It represents today a meeting spot for young people and music fans with rock and pop concerts organized and lots of art events hosted in it.
Essen has traditions and fame in the universe of music. The Aalto Opera House is one of the best in Germany with masterpiece performances and unique architecture of the building. The town also hosts several music fests having their annual editions in the concert halls or in the open, in the midst of Essen's green parks. Art lovers should not miss the Folkwang Museum, representing its impressive painting collections from the 19th and 20th centuries, but also singular exhibition views, such as demonstrating the influence of painting masters on modern époque artists, for example. The Villa Hugel is definitely a must for all guests of the city. Exhaustive collections of Flemish paintings set in 2 separate exhibitions, reviving the paths of ideas evolving from generation to generation. The Villa Hugel, the former home of the famous Krupp family, will captivate you with art, but will also charm you with fantastic landscapes once you take a tour of the beautiful gardens in the Hugelpark.
If you have imagined the Ruhr city as smoky industrial and painted in urban grey, then you should think again. Essen boasts of adorable combination of modern look set into the green freshness of numerous parks, a lake and with the waters of the River Ruhr crossing it. Gugapark, the largest in the city, invites visitors to the charming harmonies of green alleys, verdant secret spots and plenty of opportunities for sports fans, starting from tennis and roller-skating rinks, further to the volleyball court and the myriad of sport and entertainment events that are regularly held. The Baldeneysee Lake is a fascinating place for yachtsmen, surfers, nature lovers and for all searching the magnitude and serenity of beautiful scenery.
Besides all, Essen is a city of life and entertainment. Plenty of bars, brasseries and pubs welcome you in the city center and other quarters. Restaurants here are of impressive variety - traditional, international, specialized in local cuisine, you will find something for all tastes. And in the end, if you want to catch a flame of the Ruhr city sparkling charm, come in winter when the Kennedyplatz immerses into the brilliance of a huge ice-skating rink and music floats all over.