The city of Essen lies in the central part of the Ruhr Area in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Located on the River Ruhr, its population of approximately 585,000 on an area of 210 sq km takes it into the top 10 cities in Germany. For this year (2010), Essen is to be the
European Capital of Culture on behalf of the Ruhr Area. After working three years on developing the mega-event’s programme, the European Capital of Culture RUHR.2010 is imminent. The main theme is "Transformation through culture - culture through transformation", to be held at the Messe Essen.
How to Get There:
Esseners typically use Düsseldorf Airport (20 minutes by road) and occasionally Dortmund Airport for both domestic and international flights. The local Essen/ Mülheim Airport sees restricted air traffic. Roadways connect with Oberhausen, Gelsenkirchen, the Dutch city of Venlo, Dortmund and Düsseldorf. Essen Hauptbahnhof main station is part of the Regional-Express and Intercity-Express network. Intra-city travel is an efficient set up of networked roadways, tramlines and trains.
What to See:
The Zollverein Industrial Complex is the city's most famous landmark. The coal mine, closed in 1986, is now a UNESCO heritage sight. Essen Cathedral and treasury (845 - 870) houses a most precious exhibit, located within the cathedral, the Golden Madonna of Essen. The Old Synagogue (1913); the Villa Hügel(1873), a 269-room mansion (8,100 m2),the boroughs of Kettwig and Werden, Museum Folkwang, Aalto and Colosseum Theatres, Saalbau: Home of the Essen Philharmonic Orchestra, Gartenstadt Margarethenhöhe,Grugapark and Lake Baldeney. From 15 January - 7 March 2010, Kennedyplatz, the central square for events in Essen city centre becomes Europe's largest open air city skating rink. This is to become an annual event.
Where to Eat:
Of the 200+ restaurants, cafes and bar cum eateries, we recommend:
Cafeterias: Café Pettinato,Dax,Lorenz Café,Mondrian are recommended.
Restaurants:
Copabianco, Donna Maria, Raumeins, Restaurant am Park and Istra Restaurant. If you like Steaks, then, with its number of steak houses, Essen might just be mistaken for the beef consuming capital of Germany. Istra is a steak lover's paradise. Regardless of choice, from peppered filet to rump steak, you're guaranteed a pleasant eating-out experience. The menu also contains a good variety of in-betweens and seafood dishes.
Events:
The city's fair grounds, Messe Essen, host some 50 trade fairs each year. With around 530.000 visitors each year, Essen Motor Show, the top international car tuning fair, is the largest event held there. RUHR.2010 exhibition "Out of this World" at Gasometer passed the 500,000 visitor mark on 16 February 2010, at the Wonders of the Solar System show.
Hotels:
There are 96 hotels in Essen, from the 2-5 star category and the prices are more or less standard across most of Germany, from € 39-120. Cheaper accommodation is available for the backpacker. The Atlantic Congress Hotel,Holiday Inn Express,Sheraton, art Hotel Körschen, Brunnen Hotel, Mövenpick, Hotel Bredeney and Hotel Palla are recommended.
