Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia

Gustav-Heinemann-Brücke, a bridge across the Ruhr river in Essen-Werden
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Essen_Werden_-_Gustav-Heinemann-Br%C3%BCcke_(Brehminsel)_04_ies.jpg
Author: Frank Vincentz


Essen is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia. It is located by the bank of the Ruhr river, in the heart of the Ruhr area. The city covers 210.32 sq km (81.21 sq mi) and has a population of 579,000 (2011 estimate), making it the 9th largest city in Germany. Essen observes the Central European Time (UTC+1) and in summer the Central European Standard Time (UTC+2).

Essen, Germany
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:NRW,_Essen,_Sudviertel_-_Signal_Iduna.jpg
Author: Островский Александр, Киев


Essen is today a well industrialized city. It owes its industrial development to the Krupp family. In 1811, Friedrich Krupp founded the first cast-steel manufacturing plant in Essen. It became the largest steel works in Europe, and spurred Germany's ascendance as a major industrial power.

The city has an interesting name that often creates confusion. The word Essen in German means "food" or "to eat". However, according to scholars, the etymology of Essen has nothing to do with culinary delights. In its earliest form, the city was known as Astnide. It evolved over time to Assinde, Essendia, Esnede before become Essen.

Interior of Essener Münster, Essen
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Essen_2011_31.jpg
Author: Gryffindor


Although the area has been inhabited since prehistoric times, Essen traces its history to the construction of the collegiate church of the Essen Abbey in AD 852. Rebuilt and expanded over the ages, the abbey is now part of the Essen Cathedral.

Being a major industricl city for Germany, Essen suffered heavy bombardment during the Second World War. It destroyed 90% of the city center, causing hundreds of deaths and making 50,000 people homeless. At the end of the war, Essen was placed under the British Occupation zone.

Church of St John the Baptist (left) with Essen Cathedral (right)
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Essen_2011_67.jpg
Author: Gryffindor


Today Essen has rebuilt or restored most of its historic buildings. It was elected one of the 2010 European Capital of Culture, representing the Ruhr area, along with Istanbul, Turkey and Pécs, Hungary.

Half-timber houses in Essen-Kettwig
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:NRW,_Essen-Kettwig.jpg
Author: Островский Александр, Киев

Visiting Essen, Germany

The nearest international airport is the Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS), which is 30 km away and is also 30 minutes away by train. Low cost carriers use the Dortmund Airport (DTM) which is 45 km away.

If coming by road, take Autobahn 45 from Frankfurt, Autobahn 52 from Düsseldorf and Autobahn 40 from Hanover.

Evangelische Kirche in Werden, Essen
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:NRW,_Essen,_Werden_-_Evangelische_Kirche.jpg
Author: Островский Александр, Киев

World Heritage Site in Essen

Places of Interest in Essen

 Latest updates on Penang Travel Tips

About this website

Dear visitor, thank you so much for reading this page. My name is Timothy Tye and my hobby is to find out about places, write about them and share the information with you on this website. I have been writing this site since 5 January 2003. Originally (from 2003 until 2009, the site was called AsiaExplorers. I changed the name to Penang Travel Tips in 2009, even though I describe more than just Penang but everywhere I go (I often need to tell people that "Penang Travel Tips" is not just information about Penang, but information written in Penang), especially places in Malaysia and Singapore, and in all the years since 2003, I have described over 20,000 places.

While I try my best to provide you information as accurate as I can get it to be, I do apologize for any errors and for outdated information which I am unaware. Nevertheless, I hope that what I have described here will be useful to you.