Bonn

A Visit to Germany is not complete without a tour of Essen, which was officially designated as the “European Capital of Culture” for the year 2010 by the European Union, which means that on the appointed year, the whole city will have a chance to showcase its cultural treasures to the world.

Essen is at the center of the the Rhine-Ruhr German metropolitan area, one of the 11 metropolitan divisions of the nation, which was used for political and economic planning purposes. Other cities of this metropolitan grouping include Bonn, Cologne, Düsseldorf, Dortmund and Duisburg.

The city has a strong historical ties to German warfare industry, being the home of the Krupp family dynasty, which operated a vast steel production and ammunitions and armaments manufacturing. The business is now known as ThyssenKrupp AG and is one of the industrial conglomerates in Germany.

As a hotspot for big industrial operations, Essen is known for hosting several international trade fairs, abbout 50 every year, which draws over half a million visitors to this city. Famous trade fairs held annually in Essen include the Essen Motor Show, the Techno Classica trade fair for vintage cars and the International Spieltage or SPIEL showcasing the latest in games and boardgames,among others.

CITY ATTRACTIONS:

The Limbecker Platz - This place promises to be the ultimate shopping haven in Europe, covering about 73,000 sq m of floor space and is one of the largest shopping malls in all of Germany. The structure was pre-opened in March 2008, where about 100 shops participated in a lavish launching rite. The second phase is expected to be finished by autumn of 2009. The cost of the structure is estimated at 300 million Euros.

Essen-Werden Town - Now a borough, Essen-Werden located along the Lake Baldeney has successfully preserved its medieval townscape as well as the setting of many restaurants and bars along its tourist strip. The borough also holds a place of importance in the promotion of modern German culture, being the home of the respectable Folkwang College of Music and Performing Arts.

Luciuskirche Church - Considered as the oldest parish church in Northern Europe, the Luciuskirche or the Church of Lucius) dates back as early as the 10th century and has been admired since then for its stunning beauty. its architectural style is a mix of ancient German designs and Romanesque influences. The church is the home of three of the most precious art pieces in Germany, three 11th century frescoes depicting larger-than-life biblical scenes elaborately detailed on the church walls.

Villa Hügel - The restored estate of the Krupp family dynasty in Essen is a fascination among war memorabilia enthusiasts, being the home of the family that provided waepons to the Nazis during the 20th century. Built in 1914, the vill-style residence is now transformed into a vital tourist destination in Essen, serving as a hotel and museum, exhibiting the finest cultural collections from around the world.

Gruga Park - Located at the south o the Essen city center, the Gruga Park is a vast public garden that offers a relaxing place for weary visitors, with 70 acres of rush rolling gardens. It is part of the so-called Essen Green Belt, with 3.3 kilometers of open space. Around the garden are nature's finest attractions, including tropical rain forests, open-air bird displays, old-fashioned rose gardens, bee houses and rows of lovely bonsai trees.