Its industrial past is remembered in museums, while a newer generation takes hold in this charming university town next to the Ruhr River.
With its youthful ambiance and historic landmarks, Witten is a lively and eclectic town in the picturesque Ruhr Valley. Much of the town and its activities center on the Witten University and the region’s coal mines. You’ll find plenty of cafés and museums here. Stroll along the riverbank and chat with locals to find out about the area’s industrial past.
Learn about the mechanical processes of lifting heavy objects at the Hebezeug Museum. See how people have used hoists and levers since the Stone Age and note how the tools have developed over time.
Just across the river is another nod to industrial times in the form of the LWL Industrial Museum Zeche Nachtigall. Find out how the entire valley relied on coal for centuries. Check out the steam engine and boiler house chimney, among other intriguing relics. Put on a helmet and miner’s lamp and descend into the old mine shafts.
Among the highlights of Witten is the St. Marienkirche, with its red cylindrical towers and black turrets that make it resemble a fairy-tale castle. Spot the impressive rose window marking the center of its façade and enter to see the three-nave interior, arched stained-glass windows and Baroque works of art.
Back near the river, find the Berger Denkmal, a tower with a terrace overlooking the water. Head west to see the ruins of the medieval Thier-Galerie that stands on a crook in the river.
Come in May for the Wittener Tage für neue Kammermusik. The festival revolves around chamber music, a classical form using only certain traditional instruments.
Witten lies in the southwestern outskirts of Dortmund. Drive southwest from Dortmund for 8 miles (13 kilometers) to get here in about 20 minutes. You can also take the train to travel between the two municipalities and the tram to get around the town of Witten itself.
