Essen     


- Essen today -



"Max, the pit horse" - sketch for the symbol for the Ruhr area




This is Essen today:

"In many parts of Germany there is still the rumour that the inhabitants of the Ruhr center would cough briquettes and just see the sun as a pale disc through an enormous smoke cloud covering the whole municipal area. Of course they are here - the ugly places and streets that are used in numerous films and TV programs as an opportunity to keep on being prejudiced. But the people who visit Essen can experience something totally different."

(Hubert Röser)


This is the description as it may have fitted to Essen in the past. However, this has changed because of measures of conservation and also because of the reduction of coal mining. Until today the working world in Essen has mainly focused on the administration sector. Especially in the energy sector many jobs were created. Europe's biggest energy firm, the RWE, has its head quarters in Essen. In addition the Ruhrgas corporation, one of the biggest gas supply companies of Western Europe, also has its head quarters in Essen. Today Essen is a popular shopping city, with its main shopping streets Kettwiger Straße and Limbecker Straße.

Essen has to offer something also in the cultural sector. There are several theaters e.g., such as the Aalto - Theater ( picture 36 KB ) or the Grillo - Theater. Furthermore there is the Saalbau, in which the Philharmonic Orchestra of Essen has its residence. The Villa Hügel (picture 25 KB), built by the family Krupp is a very special sight which is situated high above the lake Baldeney. There are also many forest areas or e.g. the Baldeney lake and the Kettwiger lake that offer place for rest and recreation at the weekends.

So one could say that Essen is a city, that has gone through all ups and downs and that will hopefully go through many more ups.