Ruhr Valley aiming to shake off its grimy image

Mar 2, 2010, 11:44 GMT

Essen, Germany - The Zollverein industrial complex in Essen, Germany is regarded as the 'most beautiful coal mine in the world' and since being chosen as one of the centrepieces of the European cultural capital year 2010 its fame has spread.

The same applies to the region as a whole and the cities which make up the industrial Ruhr area around Essen are keen to use this opportunity to shrug off the grimy image which this urban landscape has accumulated over decades. Especially since coal-mining is no longer the dominant sector.

'Transformation through culture - culture through transformation' - that is the slogan of the celebrations under the umbrella of Ruhr 2010. The name fits well since all manner of artists and creative folks began moving some time ago into the empty buildings which are now classed by UNESCO as a world heritage site.

The former coal-washing plant is now home to the Ruhr Museum which showcases both the past and present of this former industrial powerhouse region.

Essen city centre offers plenty of leisure opportunities, including the newly-inaugurated shopping centre at Limbecker Platz with more than 200 shops. The boldly-styled building is located next to the Colosseum Musical Theatre and boasts a roof which reminds onlookers of a billowing polka dot dress.

The Essen Philharmonic Concert Hall in the historic 'Saalbau' building is embedded in the complex of both city park and Aalto Theatre, right in the heart of the city. It took two years to revamp the concert hall which has enjoyed international acclaim since it was opened six years ago. It has helped to cement Essen's reputation as a notable musical venue.

The Folkwang Museum houses a major collection of 19th and 20th century art in Essen and has just moved into a much-vaunted new glass and concrete space designed by British architect David Chipperfield.

Essen is home to a number of key business players and one of the dominant features on the skyline is the tower owned by utility company RWE. Gas provider Eon-Ruhrgas is also having a new headquarters built opposite the city's trade fairground.

Despite all the activity down the years, the city of Essen has managed to remain green and visitors will find relaxing places not far from the city centre at the Grugapark botanical gardens which cover 70 hectares.

Lake Baldeney, the largest of six Ruhr reservoirs, is another attraction, with rowing and sailing clubs clustered on its shore which stretches for 14.7 kilometres and is easy to explore on foot or by bicycle.

The lake is the location for another Ruhr 2010 creation, the so-called Ruhr Atoll, a waterborne installation with 15 islands showcasing aspects of art and science.

Towering above is the Villa Hugel, once the ancestral home of the mighty Krupp steel dynasty. Since 1953 it has been used regularly to stage art exhibitions and even when these are not being held, visitors have access to the family chambers, the park and a show about the Krupps.

Nearby Duisburg was shaped by another celebrated Ruhr region family and it was here that August Thyssen founded Germany's largest steelmaker at the end of the 19th century. Steel is still made here today although the town has has changed much with the times.

The landscape park Duisburg-Nord is a fine example of how industrial wounds can be healed. The former foundry site has been turned into a green leisure area whilst retaining links with the past. Former gas tanks have become pools for scuba divers and old concrete walls are now scaled by climbers.

The Ruhr town of Bochum meanwhile is best known for the evergreen musical Starlight Express. Families flock to see the rock show on roller-skates with music by Andrew Lloyd-Webber and it has been playing here for more than 20 years.