Essen, 3 hôtels

The Old Synagogue, which was built in 1913 to the plans of architect Edmund Körner, is now Essen City Hall’s Cultural Institute. The ornamental cupola with its green copper roof remains to this day one of Europe’s largest, most imposing and architecturally significant synagogues. In the Kristallnacht pogrom on the night of 9 November 1938 the place of worship was set on fire. However, fortunately only the interior was burned out, and the foundation walls remained intact, so the synagogue was able to be rebuilt after the war. Since then it has served as a cultural monument, staging exhibitions on German-Jewish history and getting visitors acquainted with Jewish culture.

The industrial facility, which also includes the mine and Zollverein cokery, was listed as an UNESCO World Heritage site in 2001. Whereas most mines in the Ruhr area have been shut down, a lot of work and money has been invested in renovating the Zollverein mining complex. The landmark of the complex is the 55-metre-high mining tower, but even if it stands as a symbol for the mining and steel industries, there’s long been more to this place than the history of miners and coal. In three different zones you’ll find the Museum Trail, the Red Dot Design Museum and the Zollverein Casino, as well as an array of art studios and exhibitions in different halls.

The groundbreaking ceremony for Essen City Hall was held on 1 July 1975, and four years later on 7 November 1979 the inauguration and first council meeting took place. The City Hall is located on Porscheplatz, right in the city centre. On the 22nd floor, 100 metres up, there’s a viewing deck offering a fantastic panoramic view of the city. The Rathaus Galerie Essen shopping centre opened in early 2010. Since then shoppers have been able to indulge in a nice shopping spree with a choice of some 80 shops.

Located right in the middle of Essen city centre, on the castle square, the 1,000-year-old cathedral contrasts with the modern buildings. Back before Essen existed as such, in the year 852, Bishop Altfried von Hildesheim founded a convent. Over the centuries several fires broke out in the church, but it was rebuilt and extended each time. After World War Two the Cathedral had to be restored, and it was designated a bishop’s church in 1958. Only the octagonal tower had remained intact since the 11th century. Inside the church and treasure chamber you can still admire an array of objets d’art and relics, for example the crown worn by Otto III as a child.

Since 1988 the opera house has topped off the city of Essen’s rich culture scene. Whether it be an opera or operetta, musical, ballet or concert, the Aalto Theater is the right arena to bring the best out of any performance. Even though its Finnish architect Alvar Aalto sadly did not live to see its inauguration, the building wows visitors to this day with its “humane architecture” concept. The Aalto Music Theater, Aalto Ballet Theater Essen and Essen Philharmonie concert hall alike have set themselves the target of offering the public outstanding entertainment. And successfully so! The opera house has been one of the best in German-speaking countries for a number of years.

The Grugapark is more than just a city park. Extensive lawns beckon you to relax or play games on them. In the Botanical Garden you can see rare plants from all over the world. Visitors young and old alike will enjoy seeing the many animals – parrots, eagles, ponies, goats and fallow deer as well as a petting zoo are just waiting for your visit. Nearby in the Grugapark you’ll find the largest open-air museum in the Ruhr area with its international sculpture collection. Nature, art and relaxation come together here and make the place well worth a visit! Plus there are musical events here every Sunday, and as the highlight of the year, the big summer festival spanning several days.