Essen Facts
Fact 1: Prior to World War II, Essen was called the "armor of the nation" because of its major activities regarding steelworks and blast furnaces. However, the city is not the smoke filled industrial center that you would imagine. Today, in fact, none of the original collieries operate.
Fact 2: The Munster Cathedral, which has a ninth century foundation, has a chapel housing the Golden Madonna. This statue was created in 990 AD and is said to be the oldest sculpture of the Virgin Mary in the world.
Fact 3: The Villa Hügel is a Gründerzeit mansion that is located on the north shore of the Baldeney Lake. Originally built in 1872, the complex included a residential and guest wing that boasted an amazing 269 bedrooms! Until 1945, the Villa Hügel was home to three successive generations of the Krupp family. However, since 1953, it has been open to the public.
Fact 4: Essen is the largest city of the Ruhrgebiet and is one of the largest citys in Germany. As the home to more than 590,000 people, Essen is proud of its heritage and boasts northern Europe's oldest parish church, largest synagogue, and the tallest town hall.
Fact 5: One of the most remarkable sites within Essen is the Alte Synagoge. This massive neo-Moorish structure was built in the early twentieth century. What makes this domed building so fascinating is the fact that it outlasted the Third Reich. Today, it serves as a documentary center on the suffering of the Jews under the Nazis regime.
Fact 6: The Krupp family, which is Essen's principal family, achieved national fame with family member, Alfred Krupp. He was the pioneer of sick pay, free medical treatment, pensions, and retirement homes for his workers. Unfortunately, the family was not always known for such kindness. Some members were enthusiastic participants in the Holocaust and were sentenced war criminals at Nuremberg.
Fact 7: Essen's Folkwang Museum is one of Germany's top galleries for nineteenth and twentieth century art. Two rooms are completely devoted to French impressionists and their followers, including versions of Monet favorites, Rouen Cathedral and Water Lilies.
Fact 8: When it comes to large companies, Essen's got something to brag about! Ruhrkohle AG, the largest German producer of coal, and RWE, the biggest power company in Europe are based here.
Fact 9: The center of Essen primarily consists of an enormous shopping area. The pedestrian precincts and elegant shops are just a couple of things that merits a day or even more in this lovely city.
Fact 10: Essen exemplifies the "green Ruhr" image with a surprising green belt. The Gruga Park incorporates botanical gardens and large recreation areas. Close by are vast forests on both sides of the Baldeneysee, which is a long narrow reservoir formed from the Ruhr River.
