Location: Essen
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What to do and see in Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia: The Best Museums
Essen began in the mid-9th century as home to a women's abbey, then during the Renaissance became an important coal mining town and later a major steel production center. The famed metal-working Krupp family opened their first foundry here in 1810. One of Essen's most interesting places is the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex, once the largest colliery in the world. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it attracts 800,000 visitors a year, often hosting art exhibitions and performances.
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1. Mineralien Museum
2. Museum Folkwang
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 489 reviews
Reviewed By samuel8248 - Nuremberg, Germany
So far the best art museum I've visited in Germany. Amazing permanent collection. Way better than expected. Beautiful artworks
3. Ruhr Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 181 reviews
Reviewed By 355stefang - Brussels, Belgium
The Ruhr Museum is easily one of the best and most interesting museums I have ever visited anywhere in the world. Naturally, the fact the museum is in a HUGE, old industrial building is in itself extremely interesting. It's almost like one day the machines were just switched off, and then the next day a museum bloomed inside. Spread out over several floors, you will have to spend a day or even two to really see and read everything in the museum (most description cards were only in German, if I remember correctly, but there was also English for much of the museum). You can also go to the rooftop for wonderful views of the Zollverein complex. Obligatory giftshop and toilets available inside, as well. In the museum you'll gain an understanding of the impact the Ruhr Gebiet (Ruhr Valley/Area) had on the local population - how it was essentially their livelihood - and a good understanding of the impact industrialization has had on the environment, and what's being done about it today. There are numerous mining objects, countless gems, rocks, animals, etc., so many you'd think you actually went to a natural history museum. I can't express how fantastic this museum was. There is so much to see and the building itself and old mining machinery just make this an awesome experience. Highly recommended!
4. Red Dot Design Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 181 reviews
Reviewed By Johnny19039
The Red Dot Design Museum is the largest of its kind in the world. There are some smaller museums in Singapore and in China. The museum is very well designed, which is in part due to the fact that modern, well-designed utility items and other objects are presented in an old industrial building on the site of the former coal mine site ″Zollverein″. A large part of the exhibited objects won the Red Dot Award just this year. The museum is larger than you might first imagine and you should bring plenty of time to take a close look at everything. The staff in the cash desk area are very friendly. Nearby there are enough free parking spaces.
5. Dom-Schatzkammer
6. Soul of Africa Museum
7. Hespertalbahn Museumseisenbahn Essen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
