Essen - Heart of Business in Germany

The name of the city needs clarification. Contrary to popular belief, “Essen” has nothing to do with food (essen means "to eat" in German). Its name comes from the old German word "astnide" meaning "blacksmith's furnace". Over time, the pronunciation of the word changed to the easier version "Essen". However, Essen residents are still trying to play up such a “delicious” name. During the year the city hosts several gastronomic events. For example, Stadtparkfest “Food, Wine & Music” Festival is organized in late July. The festival of the fine cuisine of the Ruhr region (Gourmet-Meile Metropole Ruhr) is held in the third week of August in the former Zollverein mine territory. And Restaurant Carousel (Restaurant-Karussell) is held in restaurants from late August to mid-October. In the framework of the event visitors are offered a four-course gourmet cuisine dinner at a moderate charge. In everyday life, people of Essen love going to the traditional beerhouses - Brauerein. They always have a great selection of local beers. From the hot dishes, pommes rotweiß - potato fries "red and white" (so called because it is served with mayonnaise or with tomato sauce) and currywurst - good fried sausage with curry -are popular here.

Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex walls keep the main story of Essen. You can learn all about the prosperous period of the coal production in Ruhr basin mines at the museum of mining built on Zollverein mine’s territory. The museum of ceramics and the design museum are here. In winter the ice rink is filled, while in summer the pool opens. One of the most popular restaurants in the city, Casino Zollverein, is also situated there. Dishes of international cuisine are served in the former compressor room of the mine. But people come here not so much for the food, but rather to enjoy the atmosphere.

The numerous mines appeared in Essen and its surroundings during the Middle Ages. At the beginning of the XIX century the Krupp family established the famous steel empire, “placing the steel industry on the industrial track”. The headquarters of the famous ThyssenKrupp firm is now also in the city. The local steel mill was the major employer. Because of it, the city was badly damaged during the Second World War. However, it was quickly rebuilt and made an important business center of the country. In particular, Essen Motor Show  is famous all over the world. It is specialized in tuned developments of world famous brands. The show is held annually in late November. In March of each year, horse lovers from all over the world come to the exhibition-sale of Equitana studs. In April they host the Techno-Classica Essen - an exhibition of vintage cars collection. The annual Essen Light Weeks (Essener Lichtwochen) are also very attractive for tourists. Old lamps are on display in the city center since the end of October to the end of December. The streets have a very festive look at that time. A board games forum (Internationale Spieltage SPIEL) is organized annually for the fans of these games. Every year in late October, in addition to traditional games you can find here people, who make playing cards, comic books and video games.

The main Catholic church of the Ruhr region is in Essen. The Church of Saints Cosmas and Damian was built in the beginning of the XIII century, while three of its bells even date to the XII century. Villa Hugel is also worth attention. It is the residence of the Krupps family - Germany's richest men of the XIX century. The art collection of the family is kept in the Museum Folkwang. Here are the paintings by the great masters of the past two centuries. The collection especially impresses the fans of the Impressionists.

A visit to Essen could become a completely new experience for the traveler. After all, here you can walk up the stairs of the former coal bunker, see the huge Villa Hugel, built without a single piece of wood. Walk on Margarethenhohe residential quarter, which was created at the beginning of the XX century for the workers of metallurgical plants. After getting an abundance of new information, you will enjoy a snack of local potato fries and beer. The main thing is to find the right place for a meal! 

TAGS: Essen, Krupp, Villa Hügel, Zeche Zollverein Schacht XII, Baldeneysee, Grugapark, Folkwang, Kettwiger Straße, Saints Cosmas and Damian, Essen Motorshow, Equitana.