THE ESSENCE OF
ESSEN I
Built on foundations
of steel and coal, this gem of the Ruhr has emerged as one
of Europe’s greenest cities. And September sees it at its best
N MANY WAYS, ESSEN REPRESENTS AN IDEAL LOCATION FOR A TRADE FAIR, BLENDING AS IT DOES SUCH A STRONG INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE WITH ALL THE ATTRIBUTES A VISITOR WOULD SEEK IN A RELAXING CITY BREAK AWAY FROM THE WELL-KNOWN TOURIST HOT-SPOTS.
Situated in the heart of Germany’s Ruhr region in what was once the centre of Europe’s coal and steel industry, the city has re-emerged in modern times as a vibrant, creative green metropolis known for its UNESCO World Heritage architecture, world-class art and abundance of green spaces. The pedestrianised city centre – or Stadtkern – is vibrant, energetic and packed with shops – more than 1,000 of them, in fact – and all within walking distance from major department stores to small independent boutiques. Away from that, the various neighbourhoods each have
their own identities. Rüttenscheid, for example, stands out as the cultural heart favoured by students and young professionals attracted by its cafés, restaurants, and nightlife. The nearby old town of Kettwig, by contrast, has more of
a village feel, with its traditional architecture, 19th-century half-timbered houses and cobblestone streets, something of an oddity in itself bearing in mind that it is Essen’s youngest district. The anomaly lies in its historic links to the textile industry rather than war-related manufacturing which meant it was largely spared from WWII bombing raids.
Similarly, the Werden district feels like an authentic
medieval village, having grown around a former Abbey and includes the must-see St Ludgerus Basilica, which dates to the 9th century and features an impressive crypt. But if you’re here for a few days but still want to live
like a local, you need to visit the sort of traditional Ruhr businesses that serve hearty regional dishes like Himmel
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