I like myself exactly as I am. With everything that goes with it. But I used to have a bad reputation. For decades, mining characterised my image in the Ruhr region. In the meantime, however, I have changed and look completely different to how I did back then. My towns and cities are much greener than you might think. I'm lively, in a party mood and sometimes a bit brash. But above all, people like me today because of my industrial history. It's funny, isn't it? I'm proud of it anyway. After all, Zeche Zollverein, once the largest coal mine in the world, and its coking plant have been declared a Unesco World Heritage Site. And the gasometer in Oberhausen is Europe's highest exhibition hall. Have you ever been there? Or in Bochum? In Gelsenkirchen or Dortmund?
I don't really have any city limits. If you're here, you're in the Ruhr region. Full stop! Or in the Ruhr area. Or in the Ruhrpott. Just call me whatever you like and follow the "Route of Industrial Heritage". It takes you to numerous industrial monuments such as disused collieries and blast furnaces, impressive factory buildings, museums and housing estates. Today, they are all cultural sites where nature has also reclaimed its place. You will be surprised at the plants and animals you will discover among the rust and steel. Just take a closer look!
In this context, I can also think of the many spoil tips left behind by the mining industry. If you're a good walker, you can climb these Ruhr mountains - and see my very special scenery from above. Just don't be surprised that there's an adventure waiting for you on some of the peaks. I'll only tell you this much: there's also a rollercoaster for pedestrians ...
