Essen, Germany

Essen Germany

Visitors will be pleasantly surprised when visiting Essen. Most people expect a grey, industrial cityscape marked by heavy industry, but they will quickly discover a residential city with several museums, green spaces, and a vibrant cultural life. The city is worth a visit for its cathedral alone. The internationally renowned Essen Cathedral was built over an Ottonian crypt dating back to the 10th century. Inside the crypt, objects of incredible value were found, such as the oldest known sculpture of the Virgin Mary and the lost crown of Otto III. Essen is home to a wide range of museums. The internationally acclaimed Museum Folkwang features works by famous artists such as Renoir, Édouard Manet, Gauguin, Van Gogh, and others. The Ruhr Museum is dedicated to the social history of industrialization. Authentic documents allow visitors to learn about the lives of working families and the upper middle class of the early 20th century. Essen is proud of its industrial past and has much to show for it, but the city is not stuck in history and is focused on the future. It has transformed into a cultural hub to such an extent that it was named European Capital of Culture in 2010 on behalf of the entire Ruhr region.
Recommended airport
Dusseldorf (DUS)
Points of interest
  • Messe Essen
Nearby destinations
  • Dortmund a 32.07 km
  • Herne a 17.20 km
  • Dusseldorf a 30.26 km