Enjoy the Best of the City with Essen Holidays

Added: 06/14/2006

Founded in the ninth century as a monastery, Essen has managed to become the largest and most important city in Germany's Ruhr Region. During the industrial revolution, it was the most significant mining town in Europe, due to the coal and steel production. However, the city doesn't suffer from the post-industrial decline, and is seen today as a culturally diverse and attractive city, home to many attractions and landmarks making for exquisite Essen holidays.

Located in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Essen is home to a population of nearly 600,000 inhabitants. Despite the fact that the city has its modern day problems, more and more travelers consider Essen holidays as a unique chance to discover the lush forests and industrial monuments of the region. Indeed, the city and the whole region have much to offer to each of its visitors in the areas of culture, shopping and recreational activities. Essen is also famous for its educational and research institutions, with thousands of students studying in the city's universities. Dining venues are plentiful in Essen, which means that guests can enjoy their meals in diverse restaurants specializing in national German cuisine and a number of international dining options. Regarded as the sixth largest city in Germany, Essen is home to an array of accommodations ranging from bed and breakfast inns and hotels to guest houses.

While enjoying your Essen holidays,\ you'll inform yourself of the historic sites of the city history, as well as outstanding events, like the nternational Christmas market or Essener Lichtwochen attracting huge crowds of visitors into the city annually. One of the greatest attractions, Essen Cathedral is situated in the heart of the city housing many reasures from different periods of the city's history. It was constructed in 845 in the classical Gothic style, and has seen many renovations since then. Another great place to visit, Villa Hugel is a grand mansion which housed renowned industrial tycoon, Alfred Krupp. Established by his wife, Margaret Krupp was Margarethenhohe District to house workers. Taking a stroll around the district is a real treat for those interested in the city's unique architecture.

Among the most outstanding architectural sites is the Munster, the former collegiate church of the canonesses. Among the parts comprising it there is a Gothic XIV century main part, a Romanesque XI century frontage, a fourteenth century Gothic Church and an XI century atrium. A definite must for those enjoying their Essen holidays and longer stays, the M?nster has many treasures, one of which is the Golden Madonna dating back to 980. Essen is also home to the largest synagogue in the country which managed to survive the Third Reich. Today it serves as a place for commemoration. The city also boasts some prominent buildings from the twentieth century, such as St Engelbert Church built 1934-1936.

With over 800 stores and shops on nearly 300,000 sales area, Essen is considered by many as the shopping Mecca. Elegant boutiques, furniture stores, exquisite jewellery shops and designer studios found in the city centre, offer an exciting and varied shopping experience. However, it is not only in the centre of Essen that travellers can enjoy excellent shopping. A wide variety of goods can be found in the other districts of the city, such as Borbeck, Werden, Steele and Altenessen. The best time for Essen holidays is Christmas time, when the city is the most inviting for shopping and sightseeing. For car hire Essen, consider Alamo, Avis, Sixt, Hertz or Thrifty.

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