THE CITY OF BOCHUM is located in the heart of the Ruhr area – the Ruhrgebiet. The region has transformed itself into a true melting pot of cultures – Not by chance it was honored as the 2010 European Capital of Culture! You can discover a wide variety of international and multicultural influences throughout this openminded region as well
as a diverse cultural offer of art, theater, science and of course soccer. Bochum offers many examples of this diversity. For instance, the Botanical Garden, which is only a 10 minute walk from the University, is an emblem of the local method of combining nature and art or the Zeiss Planetarium in which you can immerse yourselves into a stunning
cosmic world by using innovative technology. Naturally the Ruhr area’s industrial background is an important part of its culture as well. The German Bergbau-Museum in Bochum, e.g., is the largest mining industry museum in the world. Another example is the Jahrhunderthalle which is a unique venue for exhibitions about the history of general and local, mining and heavy industry, as well as pop culture events such as concerts or fi lm festivals. As you can tell, the Ruhr area’s diversity cannot be easily described in just a few sentences. Now it is your turn to discover the beauty and diversity this region has to offer!
Sightseeing in and around Bochum
Bochum is located within the famous „Ruhr Area“, Germany’s former primary location for coal mining and steel industry. Although most coal mines have been closed, the hidden beauty of these old days has been preserved in many places.
Things to see in Bochum
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- Little walk: Botanical Garden is located south of the Ruhr-University Bochum and shows a great variety of plants from all over the world. You can reach it in 5-10 minutes from the conference venue
- Socializing: The Bermudadreieck (Bermuda triangle) is a square in the center of Bochum literally crowded with theme bars and restaurants
- Mining history: The Deutsches Bergbau-Museum of Bochum is one of Germany’s most popular museums and well known for its wide spread underground mine shaft
- a view into the cosmos: The central projector in the Zeiss Planetarium Bochum shows the starry sky as you can see it from Earth – over 9000 brilliant stars shine above you in the planetarium sky.
- one of the most extraordinary festival theaters in Europe: The Jahrhunderthalle Bochum is a power plant for culture, business and entertainment and a prime example of industrial cultural change.
- park landscape unlike any other in the world: In the Landschaftspark Duisburg former industrial buildings have been remodelled to host events, an old gasometer has become Europe’s largest artificial diving centre, ore storage bunkers have been transformed into an alpine climbing garden. and there is more to discover, a visit is definitely worthwhile.
- natural paradise: Sechs-Seen-Platte Duisburg – Bathing, barbecuing, sailing – perfect for relaxation.
- UNESCO world heritage: Zeche Zollverein Essen
- modern art: Museum Folkwang Essen began as an art collection with natural history and arts and crafts departments, but in a very short time has developed into the pioneering museum of modern art in Germany.