Hotel Luise

Kettwig: Kirchtreppe

by Kathrin_E

The steep stairway up to the protestant church is the most remarkable ensemble in Kettwig's old town. The six half-timbered houses along the stairway have medieval origins, although some of them bear the dates of later repairs. The oldest mentionings originate in the 14th century and archeology proved this true.

The alley used to be property of the church. It also served as one of four "fire alleys", shortcuts downhill to the water in case of fire. Only in 1850 the steep lane was turned into a stairway with steps and railings.

The figure of the night watchman was created in 1982 to substitute an older precedessor.

Dom: The Cloister

by Kathrin_E

An oasis of tranquility (unless there is a big tour group around...): the cloister behind the Dom. One wing is still Romanesque, the others were renewed in gothic style in the later middle ages.

The graves in the courtyard are those of post-war canons, priests and members of the cathedral chapter. World War II air raids that destroyed 90% of Essen's centre did not spare the church complex.

Access from the Dom and also from the street behind.

If Essen had a king...

by Bagillbaer

... he'd probably use the Villa Hügel as his summer house...
Pay a visit to this pretty "little" noble hut (you really have to pay for it, but only about 1.50 DM, that's quite fair).
Basically you can spend a whole day on the grounds of the villa. If you're lucky with the weather, that is.
The buildings contain some exhibitions - one is permanent (it's about the history of the Villa Hügel and its erectors, the members of the family Krupp) and one (or maybe even more?) is changing. Sometimes it's about Chinese art, sometimes expressionism, you know, the usual art stuff.
Also, they arrange classical concerts there (in a very nice hall).
Surrounding the villa lies the Hügel Park. It's marvellous!
Lots of different tree types, well trimmed meadows to sit on and... just beautiful to walk and relax.

Villa Hügel and Park

by Kathrin_E

Villa Hügel, the "villa on the hill" above Baldeney Lake, is the world of Hedwig Courths-Mahler's novels come true. It is hard to imagine how incredibly rich that Krupp family must have been. The home they had built for themselves is a palace.
The state rooms of the villa on the ground floor and first floor are accessible to the public. They are furnitured with all splendour money can buy.
I would love to have a desk like the one in Mr. Krupp's office... Approximately 3 metres long and 1,5 metres wide, that's a table with enough space to work on.

The villa is surrounded by a huge park with beautiful old trees and wide English lawns. Go for a walk. It seemed to me that most visitors just see the villa and don't venture further. The park was totally quiet.

An entrance fee of 3 € for the park, the villa, the exhibition and everything is to be paid at the park gate.

Colours&Light: Underground Passage at the Station

by Kathrin_E

Light show for passers-by: One wall of the pedestrian passage underneath the train station has been equipped with thousands of LEDs that continuously change colour, sometimes even form patterns.

The light forms waves of colurs running along with walking people. Sometimes it seems to keep pace with them - like fast running stripes when two skateboarders passed through. I have no idea if it reacts to the movements in the passage - probably not, and the effect was a mere coincidence.

Anyway, the colours change the apperance of the passage all the time. It is worth slowing down and watching for a while. The light is bright enough to take photos without tripod, by the way.

Some examples are in here. There are many more varieties, though.

From blue to yellow

Red light district??

Laughter in green and turquoise

A detail of the illuminated wall. The effect is created by rows of LEDs and the ripply structure of the surface.