Those who choose Oberhausen for a trip of discovery can explore the city through its industrial heritage: from the beginnings of iron production and repurposed industrial architecture to art by the water. There are also older buildings, museums and outdoor routes. The following places show the many different ways to explore Oberhausen.
Industrial history at its original sites
In 1758, pig iron flowed from a blast furnace for the first time at the St. Antony ironworks. This event is considered the birth of the Ruhr region’s iron and steel industry. The site includes an industrial archaeological park with excavated production facilities. The historic beginnings of industrial history and evidence of production are thus brought together at one named location.
The Gasometer Oberhausen showcases another dimension of industrial architecture: it is 117.5 metres high and was converted into an exceptional exhibition hall in 1993/94. Since 1994, it has been regarded as Europe’s tallest exhibition hall; it is also the city’s landmark. In fine weather, its rooftop platform offers visitors panoramic views across the Ruhr metropolis. A tour of the Sterkrade colliery takes visitors into the winding house with its red headframe. The headframe is one of the last surviving remnants of the colliery. As tour dates may change, it is advisable to check the specific offerings in advance.
Historic buildings, exhibitions and film
Vondern Castle was first mentioned in a document in 1266 and is one of Oberhausen’s oldest surviving buildings. Those wishing to include art and museum work alongside industrial history will find a range of different focuses: the LUDWIGGALERIE Schloss Oberhausen presents a changing exhibition programme, with loans from around the world, in the spacious rooms of the neoclassical palace. Since 1998, the LVR Industrial Museum has used a central collection depot in the heritage-listed Peter Behrens Building. The permanent exhibition “Peter Behrens – Art and Technology” can be visited on the fifth floor. The Eisenheim Museum devotes its exhibition to work, everyday life and life in the Eisenheim settlement. Another cultural highlight is the International Short Film Festival Oberhausen: founded in 1954, it is the world’s oldest short film festival.
Art by the canal and outdoor activities
Tobias Rehberger’s walkable bridge artwork “Slinky Springs to Fame” spans the Rhine-Herne Canal from Kaisergarten to Emscher Island. Here, the bridge is itself a work of art and also connects the two named endpoints. The Rhine-Herne Canal, which is over 100 years old, runs from east to west through the middle of Oberhausen and invites visitors to cycle, hike and jog. The Ruhr Valley Cycle Route also passes through the city; check the route conditions before setting off.
Kaisergarten and Revierpark Vonderort offer different ways to get active in green surroundings. Kaisergarten’s spacious woodland and meadow areas are ideal for walking, jogging and cycling. Leisure facilities there also include a mini-golf course and an archery range. The animal enclosure specialises in native domestic breeds and European wildlife. Revierpark Vonderort has a four-kilometre circular trail for walking or jogging, as well as a mini-golf course. In summer, concerts are regularly held in front of the multipurpose pavilion by the lake in the southern part of the park. If you are planning to attend, check the specific event dates.
This makes it possible to decide which experiences should shape your plans, rather than treating every place mentioned as a must-see.
Discover more destinations: Herne, MĂĽlheim an der Ruhr, Duisburg, Wuppertal, Bottrop, Essen, Bonn, Remscheid.
Back to the main travel overview: North Rhine-Westphalia.
