Its distinctive tower has become an icon of the Ruhr area. The former colliery is widely regarded as a masterpiece of technical design and stands as a unique witness to the era of coal and steel. One of the most impressive features is the way in which Bauhaus design principles have been implemented in an industrial context.

Masterpiece of industrial culture
Once the world's biggest and most modern coal mine, the Zollverein mine was the last in Essen to close down. This extraordinary industrial monument and UNESCO World Heritage site is a prestigious example of the development of heavy industry in Germany. Guided tours provide a first-hand view of coal mining between the colossal machines and conveyor belts. Today this industrial complex is also an important centre of culture and design in the Ruhr area.

Essen and the Ruhr area have one of the most diverse culture scenes in the world. The Lanterns Museum lends Essen's city centre a romantic air. The treasure chambers of Essen's minster and the St. Ludgerus basilica house all manner of religious gems. The various museums of art and technology are excellent, as are the museums on cultural history and natural history, and the countless galleries.

Art and culture are an extremely important part of life in Essen. Essen is older than either Berlin or Munich, a fact which is reflected in its historical sites and architectural masterpieces such as the Aalto Theatre, with its opera and ballet performances, the Colosseum Theatre, the German Poster Museum, the Philharmonic and Villa Hügel.