The city of Dortmund has entered the third millennium as one of the most developed and prosperous German cities as well as becoming the cultural and economic center of Westphalia. Known as Dorpmunde throughout the Middle Ages, the city was one of the richest and most influential in the Hanseatic League for a long time. Steel and coal ensured economic prosperity, while in the course of structural chance such branches as communications and media technology, IT and logistics have reshaped the city's corporate landscape.
Embedded in the biggest arts and cultural landscape in Europe, Dortmund is a city of cultural variety and energy, frequented by a number of visitors from Europe and all over the world. Contemporary museums, municipally and privately owned art galleries, opera house and theatres are among the greatest cultural attractions that can be enjoyed during Dortmund holidays. The symbol of new Dortmund, the Philarmonie fur Westfalen is known for the excellent quality of its architecture and acoustic providing basis for a variety of concerts of international standing. Those eager to look up the spoken or written word should consider the City and State Library featuring a collection of over 1,2 million items from diverse media.
The city is home to an extensive list of diverse attractions that can be well enjoyed during Dortmund holidays and short city breaks. One of the noteworthy sights is Museum of Natural History which traces the history of the world through minerals, geology and animal exhibits. Located in close proximity to the city center, this museum is especially popular among families with children. Dating back to the XVII century, the Romberg Park Gatehouse was originally used as a guards house to a castle that belonged to Baron von Romberg. Today it is home to a beautiful art gallery with constantly changing exhibits. Another popular attraction and a must-see during your Dortmund holidays, Florianturm is the landmark of Dortmund, named after the patron saint of gardeners. This Dortmund's TV tower was constructed in the late 1950s as an attraction for federal horticultural show.
A number of football fans consider Dortmund holidays to be a great chance to visit the Westfalenstadion, the home ground of BV Borussia Dortmund soccer team. It was named after the former Prussian province of Westphalia that is now part of North Rhine-Westphalia. The Westfallenstadion is recognized as the largest stadium in Germany with the international capacity of 67,000. In 2004 it established the European record in spccer fan attendance with a total of nearly 1,4 million.
Tourists coming to Dortmund are amazed to find an array of restaurants and fine dining venues offering a gourmet trip all over the world, notably Cuisine du Monde, Eiscafe Da Capo, La Cuisine d'art Manger and Mylos Cafe Bar Restaurant, in addition to a wide selection of clubs and bars, including Liquid Lounge, Hohensyburg Casino, Bierhaus Stade, Westfalenpark, Dortmund Zoo and Westfalisches Schulmuseum among others. For car hire Dortmund, consider Europcar, Avis, Sixt and Hertz.