A long and impressive mining heritage and tourist attractions steeped in history make a city trip to one of the greenest cities in the Ruhr Valley, Castrop-Rauxel, a memorable holiday experience.
The former mining town of Castrop-Rauxel is situated in the densely wooded area near the Emscher river in the north Ruhr area and has evolved in recent years to be nicknamed “Europastadt im Grünen” (noteworthy European city and green space). The Emscher river and the Rhine-Herne canal pass through the north of Castrop-Rauxel. There are four canal ports in the city. The last mine, the Erin coal mine from 1867, was closed in 1983. Today, the mining tower and the hammerhead tower in the city centre are prominent industrial landmarks on the tourist Route of Industrial Culture and they keep the memories of the region’s significant mining heritage alive for both inhabitants and visitors to Castrop-Rauxel.
One of the most popular destinations during a mini-break in Castrop-Rauxel is the charming Bladenhorst moated castle in the Bladenhorst district. This stronghold in its picturesque setting was first documented in 1266 and was converted and extended in 1584 in late-Renaissance Period style. Wine festivals and various events such as recitals and talks often take place in the medieval setting of the castle courtyard.
The proud St. Lambertus Church in the district of Henrichenburg in the north of Castrop-Rauxel has a long history to look back on. The north aisle of the 13th-century church was integrated into the newly built Neo-Gothic basilica in 1890. Visits to the church are not just for culture connoisseurs, rather, every visitor to the city of Castrop-Rauxel will appreciate its greatest treasures: the 1516 tabernacle with its impressive branch-like construction and ornate late-Gothic monstrance.
Don’t miss out on a visit to the old 1899 Henrichenburg Ship Hoist during your short trip to Castrop-Rauxel. Here, ships up to 70 metres long were carried 14 metres up or down the Dortmund-Ems canal in a hoist. Today, this striking industrial landmark is one of eight sites in the LWL Industrial Museum. Just past the outer harbour of the canal, impressive historical ships entice travellers to visit. Among them you will find a steam tugboat, a steam tanker (the only one in Europe) and slipway facilities with an historic slewing crane. There are often interesting special exhibitions in the harbour buildings.
The municipal gardens stretch to the outskirts of the old town of Castrop-Rauxel. This is a popular spot for both inhabitants and visitors to relax. Shady linden, sycamore and beech trees, an enchanting rose garden, a pond with gondolas, ducks and geese and a small waterfall invite you simply to relax. Watch out for herons and kingfishers catching their prey. In the middle of this diverse garden with its shrubs and forest, the statue of nature poet, Hermann Löns, captures visitors’ attention. In the former “Parkbad Süd” (public park swimming pool), there is a popular cultural and leisure centre to attract visitors today.
