Comprehensive information and links about Germany Essen

Essen is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Located on the Ruhr river, it ranks as the second largest city of the Ruhr area and as the 8th largest city in Germany. Population: 586,205 (as of 30.06.2004).

Despite its size, Essen has less prominence than other cities of comparable size. Essen remained an insignificant agricultural town until the 19th century, although founded as early as about 845. The mining of coal and ore led to the growth of the city and of the entire Ruhr area. The Krupp family comes from Essen; their works established steel production in Essen in 1811. After having undergone major economic changes after World War II, Essen now hosts a high-class college of art, many industrial sights (Zeche Zollverein) and a major collection of art (Folkwang Museum).

Villa Hügel: Built at the end of the 19th century by industrial magnate Alfred Krupp as his family home. Today it often houses temporary art exhibitions and music concerts.Zeche und Kokerei Zollverein: Coal mine (built in 1932, closed in 1986) and coking plant (built in 1961, closed in 1993). Visitors now have access to the precincts, which frequently house temporary art exhibitions. Once the largest coal mine in the world, it has been awarded "World Cultural Heritage" status by UNESCO.Essener Münster: 14th-century cathedral, enlarged and rebuilt in 1958; not spectacular in appearance, but having some exquisite objects on display in the attached treasure house: Artworks from around 1000 AD, a crown of emperor Otto III), the oldest preserved sculpture of the Virgin Mary in the world (iAlte Synagoge: The Jewish community inaugurated the synagogue in 1913. Destroyed by fire in the Nazi pogroms of 1938, it was restored after World War II.Werden: Once a city of its own, it became a borough of Essen in 1929; the center of the town has partly retained its medieval townscape with many pubs and restaurants. It stands near the Baldeney See and hosts the Folkwang College of Art.Kettwig: Also once a city of its own, and also located in the south of the Essen near the Ruhr river.Baldeney See: The big lake in the south of the city, a popular recreation area. It dates from 1931 - 1933, when 10,000 unemployed coal miners dredged it in exchange for bread and beer [1].The Essen game fair , held in October, and the occasion of the presentation of the Essen Feather and of the Deutscher Spiele Preis