Consider this: Germany’s energy capital rises right here at the Gildehof. Essen is often considered the energy capital of Germany. E.ON and RWE are Germany’s largest energy providers. Both are headquartered in the city.
The Gildehof is located on Hollestraße. It is near the main railway station. A slightly modified version of Essen’s coat of arms can be found on the roof of the Handelshof hotel near the main station.
Essen’s story goes way back. Around 845 Saint Altfrid founded an abbey for women in Essen. Essen remained a small town until industrialization. The Krupp family’s ironworks made Essen an important coal and steel center. Essen attracted workers from all over the country until the 1970s.
Essen faced a decline in heavy industries. The city has seen the development of a strong tertiary sector of the economy. The Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex closed in 1993. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Essen is located in the center of the Ruhr area. It is one of the largest urban areas in Europe. The city limits border ten cities.
Essen was the European Capital of Culture in 2010. It was also the European Green Capital for 2017. The city protects nature and reduces water consumption. Essen works to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Essen has a typical oceanic climate. The average annual temperature is 10 °C. The warmest months are July and August.
Essen’s name has caused confusion. It sounds like the German word for eating. The oldest form of the city’s name is Astnide. It may have referred to a region with many ash trees.
Essen is home to several large companies. ThyssenKrupp is an industrial conglomerate registered in both Essen and Duisburg. RWE AG is Germany’s second-largest electric utility. Other major companies include Hochtief, Aldi Nord, and Evonik Industries.
The city’s exhibition center, Messe Essen, hosts trade fairs. The Essen Motor Show is a large event. It focuses on car tuning and racing.
The Westdeutscher Rundfunk has a studio in Essen. It produces regional news programs. The WAZ Media Group publishes daily newspapers.
The Folkwang University is a renowned arts institution. The University of Duisburg-Essen is one of Germany’s youngest universities.
Essen offers a diverse healthcare system. There are many resident doctors and hospitals. The university hospital focuses on diseases of the circulatory system, oncology, and transplantation medicine.
Essen has a road network of over 3,200 streets. The A 40 runs through the city. Public transport is provided by Ruhrbahn.
Together with Mülheim an der Ruhr, Essen maintains Essen/Mülheim Airport. Residents often use Düsseldorf Airport for flights.
The Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex is a famous landmark. Shaft XII is an architectural masterpiece. It is now a World Heritage Site.
Essen Minster is the cathedral of the Bishop of Essen. The cathedral treasury has invaluable art works. The Golden Madonna of Essen is the oldest known sculpture of the Madonna.
Opened in 1913, the Old Synagogue was the central meeting place of Essen’s Jewish community. It is now a cultural meeting center.
Built in 1873, Villa Hügel was the Krupp family’s seat. It now hosts concerts and exhibitions.
In the south of the city, Kettwig and Werden have preserved their character. St. Ludger founded Werden Abbey around 799.
Other cultural sites include Museum Folkwang, Aalto Theatre, and Saalbau Essen.
Gartenstadt Margarethenhöhe is a garden city founded in 1906. Moltkeviertel is known for its urban planning. Grugapark is one of the largest urban parks in Germany. Baldeneysee is a popular recreational area.
The Gildehof stands tall. It reflects Essen’s journey from industrial heartland to a center of energy and culture.