Essen Travel Guide

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. 

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.