Essen is located in the centre of the Ruhr Region and has a past related to mining industry. The numerous industrial monuments of the city reminiscent of that time, including the Zollverein Coal Mine, classified as a UNESCO’s world cultural heritage site. A visit to the coal mine operating until 1986 or to the Ruhr Museum immerses visitors in the history of mining.
Despite such industrial orientation, Essen also offers a plenty of nature: through targeted expansion of green areas and parks the city today is the greenest city in North Rhine-Westphalia. Denkmalpfad leads those interested to the 33 historical sites located downtown, including the imposing Handelshof and the building of the former Essen Exchange in which the House of Technique is situated at present. In addition to the ecclesiastical works of art of the Essen's Cathedral treasury, art connoisseurs can admire the masterpieces in the Folkwang Museum or design exhibits in the Reddot Design Museum. Travel inexpensively, quickly and safely to the remarkable Essen by the comfortable buses of Deutsche Touring.