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Essen is a city with spectacular architecture and strong urban development. As the ninth largest city in Germany, there are plenty of things to do. Here we’ve highlighted some of the best ways to discover the secrets and successes of the ‘black gold’ Ruhr Region.

1.Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex:

Zollverein XII is a former industrial coal mine, established in 1846 and operational for a further 140 years. Often referred to as ‘the most beautiful coal mine in the world,’ it represents a time of prosperity and architectural evolution and it is recognized as a World Heritage Site. Considered a masterpiece of Bauhaus architecture, designed by architects Fritz Schupp and Martin Kremmer, it was the last remaining active coal mine to close in Essen and, supported by various organizations, is now open to the public with tours, events and exhibitions suitable for the whole family.

2.The Ruhr Museum:

Part of the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex, the Ruhr Museum investigates how Essen’s heavily industrial way of life came to pass. Housed in the old coal washing plant is a permanent exhibition examining the industrial journey of the Ruhr region, presenting the myths, pictures and phenomena of the Ruhr Area, the enormity of the geological history, the long history of industrialization, and considers its consequences and the perspectives for the future.

3. Red Dot Design Museum:

The third activity centre to be found in the Zollverein Complex, The Ret Dot Design Museum celebrates the greatest in design breakthroughs of the industrial age. Winners of the Ret Dot Design Award will find their products housed in the museum, in exhibitions celebrating the greatest achievements in industrial design. Housing over 1,000 products from designers and manufacturers all around the world, the products that reach Red Dot are united by excellence in design, functionality and innovation. In the permanent exhibición, visitors can learn about the development of Apple's award winning products, and there are dozens of temporary exhibitions exploring the development of cars, furniture, bicycles, light and sound installation and much more.

4.Grugapark and the Botanic Garden:

Grugapark and the Botanic Garden are an oasis of tranquillity and natural beauty right in the heart of Essen. The Botanical Garden was established as a scientific planting experiment in 1927 and is now home to hundreds of plants and flowers, including the largest collection of conifers in Europe. Highlights include a medieval-style herb garden, a Mediterranean orangery and Rose Garden complete with picturesque water lily pond. It is also home to the fantastical Ronald McDonald House, designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser in 2005 and part of the Ronald McDonald House Charity.

5. Museum Folkwang:

Despite losing over 1200 pieces of art following the Nazi purge of ‘degenerate art’ in 1937, Museum Folkwang still holds one of the world’s major collections of 19th and 20th century artwork, including internationally renowned pieces from romanticism, late classicism, realism and impressionism. The gallery has its own photography wing, and a rather impressive extension designed by David Chipperfield Architects, as winners of the Essen 2007 International Architecture Competition. With a café/restaurant, library, bookshop, and educational workshops for children and young adults, Museum Folkwang is a full day of culture and inspiration in the heart of Essen.

6.Aalto Theater:

The exquisite curved and asymmetric architecture of the Aalto Theater was born from the imagination of Finnish architect Alvar Aalto, who conceptualized the theater in 1959. Building only began 30 years later, 7 years after his death. The theater is characterized by its non-geometric forms and curved shapes that showcase a flowing structure, inspired by nature and exquisite to behold. Considered the largest opera house in all German speaking countries, the 1750 square meter stage area contains one main stage and two additional smaller ones. It can accommodate 100 musicians on an impressive six orchestra platform.

7.Villa Hügel:

An important part of Essen’s architectural masterpieces trail, Villa Hügel is a symbol of the successful industrialization of the Ruhr region. Designed in the late 19th century by the owner himself, Alfred Krupp dedicated three years to the construction of the Villa and more than 20 years of his life to design it, focusing on the grandeur of the 269 rooms and the 8,100 square meters of floor space. Apart from the magnificent location and the glamorous interiors, the Villa offers international exhibitions, including the historical Krupp Archive, which showcases impressive documents, photographs and films documenting the lives of that famous industrialist family.

8. The old Synagogue:
The Old Synagogue (Alte Synagogue) serves both as a place of worship and a memorial site. Built in 1913, this vast building is one of the best-preserved and most impressive Jewish cultural sites to have survived WWII, and offers a rich program of concerts, theatrical performances, and readings. Exhibits worth visiting include one focusing on the pre-war and war years, which deals with the topics of Jewish persecution and resistance. The adjacent House of the Rabbi (Rabbinerhaus) is used to house the city's archives.

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The oldest archaeological find, the Vogelheimer Klinge, dates back to 280,000 – 250,000 BC. It is a blade found in the borough of Vogelheim (de) in the northern part of the city during the construction of the Rhine–Herne Canal in 1926.[14] Other artifacts from the Stone Age have also been found, although these are not overly numerous. Land utilization was very high – especially due to mining activities during the Industrial Age – and any more major finds, especially from the Mesolithic era, are not expected. Finds from 3,000 BC and onwards are far more common, the most important one being a Megalithic tomb found in 1937. Simply called Steinkiste (Chest of Stone), it is referred to as "Essen's earliest preserved example of architecture".[15]

Essen was part of the settlement areas of several Germanic peoples (Chatti, Bructeri, Marsi), although a clear distinction among these groupings is difficult.

The Alteburg castle in the south of Essen dates back to the 1st or 2nd century BC, the Herrenburg to the 8th century AD.

Recent research into Ptolemy's Geographia has identified the polis or oppidum Navalia as Essen.[16]

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This city is located in Germany

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The West German town of Essen is located in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, and remained, till 1802, an important religious centre. The largest industrial city in the Ruhr River Valley, Essen developed rapidly after the 19th century, when coalmines and iron & steel industries were established in the city.

Today, despite setbacks suffered during World War II, Essen is once again an important industrial centre, with glassworks, textile mills and precision instruments factories contributing largely to the income of the city.