Bochum, North Rhine-Westphalia

Bochum, Germany
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hofstede0011.jpg
Author: Rasi57


Bochum is a city in the Ruhr area, in North Rhine-Westphalia. It covers 145.4 sq km (56.1 sq mi) and has a population of 375,000 (2011 estimate). The city observes the Central European Time (UTC+1) and in summer the Central European Summer Time (UTC+2).

The history of Bochum began when Charlemagne set up a royal court here. It was first mentioned in 1041 as Cofbuokheim. Over time, the name evolved to Bochum. It was granted its town charter by Court Engelbert II in 1321. It was just a small village until the 19th century, when coal mining and steel production in the Ruhr area spurred the growth of the cities there, Bochum included.

Evangelische Kirche Petri, Bochum
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Evangelische_Kirche_Petri_in_Bochum.jpg
Author: Simplicius


During the Second World War, the Jews in Bochum suffered under the Nazis while the German civilians suffered under Allied bombardment. The reason for targetting Bochum was its position as a weapons manufacturing center. Over 500 Jews in Bochum lost their lives that began with Kristallnacht on 9 November 1938. Many managed to escape to the Netherlands and England.

Bochum was occupied by British forces after the war. The city began to develop as a cultural center for the Ruhr area. Its economy also evolved, moving away from coal mining towards cleaner industries. It established a university in 1965, the Ruhr University, which is the first university in the Ruhr area and the first to be founded in Germany after the Second World War.

Gertrudiskirche in Wattenscheid, Bochum
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bochum_Wattenscheid_080114_028_00.jpg
Author: HJW

Visiting Bochum

If you are flying in, the nearest airport is the Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS) about 50 km away. From the airport, take the train heading towards Dortmund to reach Bochum.

Places of Interest in Bochum

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