The West German town of Essen
is located in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, and remained, till 1802, an important
religious centre. The largest industrial city in the Ruhr River Valley, Essen developed
rapidly after the 19th century, when coalmines and iron & steel industries
were established in the city. Today, despite setbacks suffered during World War II, Essen
is once again an important industrial centre, with glassworks, textile mills and precision
instruments factories contributing largely to the income of the city.
| The southern part of Essen has lovely
woodlands and green parks, while the rest of the city is dotted with dozens of interesting
old churches, museums and even coalmines. A must-see sight in Essen is the 9th century Basilica
of Münster Essen, the golden Madonna is its main highlight. The extensive
botanical gardens of Gruga in the very heart of Essen offer a different
kind of delight. |
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The Zeche Zollverein coal
mines, on the outskirts of the city, are no longer in use, but worth the time you
spend going there; the Baldeney See lake and the Werden district - an area on the bank of
the Ruhr, with a lot of lovely old buildings, are comparatively green and serene.
Getting There:
A major rail junction, Essen is well connected to the rest of Germany by regular trains;
some lines even cross the borders to other European countries. The city doesn’t have
an airport of its own, so if you’re coming in from outside Germany, you’re
probably best off flying in at Düsseldorf and then taking a train to Essen. Buses too
link Essen to other parts of Germany. Within Essen, buses and taxis are readily available,
and cars can be hired from one of the many rental agencies in town.
Accommodation:
Essen has plenty of good hotels, but few budget options shopping, however, is what
Essen is most famous for, and you should definitely spend some time wandering through the
city’s many markets. Frohnhausen is the main area for low-budget shopping: lots of
junk and lots of secondhand stuff around, but also the chance for lots of good finds.
For detailed country and visitor
information, see Germany. |
