Essen

Introducing Essen

When the decision came down that Essen had beat historic Görlitz in Saxony to become Cultural Capital of Europe in 2010, eyebrows were raised around the land. What kind of ‘culture’ could there possibly be in this city of steel and coal?

Plenty.

Van Gogh anyone? Go to the Folkwang Museum. Fancy a look at Emperor Otto III’s gem-studded childhood crown? Head for the cathedral treasury. A Bauhaus-style colliery on the list of Unesco’s World Heritage Sites? Look no further than the Zollverein colliery complex. Need we go on?

It’s taken a few decades, but Germany’s seventh-largest city has mastered the transition from industrial powerhouse to city of commerce and culture like few others. Add to that a verdant green belt and half-timbered medieval quarters and you may find it hard to believe you’re in the Ruhrgebiet. Old images die hard, but even cynics would find lots to like about Essen – if only they’d come and see for themselves.

Last updated: Mar 2, 2009