News
The Industrial Heritage Route on social media – discover the highlights of our social media on our social wall […]
From March 20, 2026, the new exhibition “Mythos Wald” (Myth of the Forest) at the Oberhausen Gasometer will bring our forests to life. Emotional, surprising, […]
The popular guided tours of the Marl Chemical Park are taking place again this year! Evonik Industries is making this possible for us […]
Extensive construction work will begin on the spoil heap plateau on February 9, 2026. The aim is to redesign the plateau and improve drainage […]
Rediscover the Ruhr region – from coal mines and slag heaps to workers' settlements: The newly released 2026 Explorer Passport […]
The EisSalon Ruhr in the Jahrhunderthalle in Bochum offers a unique opportunity to go ice skating amidst impressive industrial heritage during the Christmas season […]
The popular ice rink at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Zollverein in Essen opens for the winter season on December 6th! Ice skating enthusiasts will find plenty to enjoy here […]
The long-distance cycle route "Route Industriekultur per Rad" (Industrial Heritage Route by Bike) has received a three-star quality rating from the General German Bicycle Club (ADFC). On […]
This year, the first Advent Sunday in November provides a cozy start to the Christmas season. From the 27th […]
ANCHOR POINTS
The Route of Industrial Culture includes 27 historic locations with special historical significance. They are the industrial monuments most attractive to tourists in the Ruhr area and therefore the anchor points of the route. Here, visitors can experience industrial culture and the history of the Ruhr area directly and impressively.
PANORAMAS
The 17 panoramas and vantage points of the Route of Industrial Culture guarantee special insights and fascinating views of one of the largest metropolitan areas in Europe. The former industrial wastelands, monuments and towers often allow all-round views of the region. As the "artificial summit" of the Ruhr area, the heaps combine the areas of recreation, art and history. And where the overburden of mines and smelters was once dumped, people and nature have long since reclaimed the land and new forms of leisure activities have established themselves.
SETTLEMENTS
When the number of workers skyrocketed thanks to the industrial giants steel and coal in the Ruhr area, one thing above all was needed: living space. The solution was factory settlements and colliery colonies. 13 of the most important settlements in the region are part of the Industrial Heritage Route. In addition to the diverse architecture and the picturesque buildings of the workers' settlements, they are also a monument to everyday life in the "inner colony".
ROUTE BY BIKE
DIVERSITY ALONG THE ROUTE
150 years of industrial culture on a 400-kilometer route
The Route of Industrial Culture connects the most important and most attractive industrial monuments in the Ruhr area as a tourist themed route. The network of the route includes 27 anchor points, locations with special historical significance and outstanding tourist attractiveness. In addition, 17 vantage points, 13 settlements and numerous themed routes belong to the Route of Industrial Heritage.
