Discover Germany
Essen – A City in Transition
Federal State North Rhine-Westphalia
For decades Essen, in Germany’s Ruhr region, was best known for coal mining. But that began to change about 20 years ago when the mines were closed - the city of 600,000 has been in transition ever since.
New life has moved into the old pits and industrial buildings. Named a European Capital of Cultural for 2010, Essen is inviting visitors to come and admire the what’s become of the old industrial buildings and their environs.
In a former boiler house, the North Rhine-Westphalia Design Centre presents
one of the world's largest collections of contemporary design. It's amazing how many theatres and concert venues there are in and around Essen.
Essen, the workers' city, is turning, bit by bit, into Essen, the cultural metropolis.
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