A golden field with a black mountain. A silver house sits on the mountain. Atop the house is a black cat looking at you. This is the unofficial coat of arms for Katernberg. The coat of arms is a perfect starting point to tell you something about Katernberg in Essen.
Katernberg’s story starts in 1220. It was mentioned in the Vogteirolle of Count Friedrich von Isenberg-Altena. Katernberg became part of the Munizipalität Altenessen in 1808. In 1813, Altenessen became its own Bürgermeisterei. Then in 1874, Katernberg was assigned to the Bürgermeisterei Stoppenberg. Finally in 1929, Katernberg was integrated into the city of Essen.
The Zeche Zollverein has shaped Katernberg. The mine was active since 1847. Katernberg grew around it. You can still see worker settlements like Kolonie Hegemannshof. Also visible are Kolonie Ottekampshof and Kolonie Zollverein III.
In 2001, Zeche Zollverein became a UNESCO World Heritage site. Part of the Zollverein complex is in Katernberg. This includes the Schacht 4/5/11. It is now the Zukunfts-Zentrum Zollverein. Also located here is the former Schachtanlage 3/7/10. The main area of Zollverein is next to Katernberg in Stoppenberg. But Zollverein is closely linked to Katernberg. It lies between both districts.
Katernberg faced challenges when the mine closed in 1986. The Zollverein coking plant closed in 1993. This led to job losses. Urban renewal programs improved the situation. Modern industries like design and media moved into Zollverein buildings.
In 2006, the Zollverein Kubus was built. It stands next to the Zeche. Since 2010, the Folkwang University uses it for design studies. A new building is planned for the design department. It will house around 550 students.
Getting here is easy. Katernberg is accessible via the A42 motorway. Take exit 15 Gelsenkirchen-Hessler. Public transport also serves Katernberg well. The Essen Zollverein Nord station is on the Duisburg-Dortmund line. Tram line 107 connects Katernberg to Essen and Gelsenkirchen. Several bus lines add to the public transport.
The Evangelische Kirche Katernberg is called Bergmannsdom. It is the largest Protestant church in Essen. Built in 1901, it replaced a smaller church from 1877. The Bergmannsdom is now a protected monument.
The Catholic Church of St. Joseph was built in 1888-1889. It became a protected monument in 1991. The Heilig-Geist-Kirche was built between 1955 and 1958. Gottfried Böhm designed it. It replaced a church from 1934. The Fatih Mosque has been a domed structure since 1997. It belongs to the Turkish community.
In sports, Sportfreunde Katernberg were successful in football in the 1940s and 1950s. The chess team played in the 1st Schachbundesliga. They played from 1975 to 1981 and from 2003 to 2015.
Katernberg has come a long way from its first mention in 1220. From mining to modern design, Katernberg has transformed. Its history is still visible in its buildings and streets.