Recklinghausen Things to Do

Only a few half-timbered houses are left in Recklinghausen, most were destroyed in the war or replaced by modern architecture in the 50`s. A good example are the "Ackerbürgerhäuser" (peasant´s homes) near Steinstrasse.

A few of the older houses in the inner city, mainly those built around 1900, have beautiful art-deco/art-noveau-ornaments. Especially beautiful is the building of the perfume shop "Pieper" near the market square, and some houses near the church of St. Paul.

A museum on the history of the region. "Vest" ist the medieval term for the area of Recklinghausen, its suburbs and the surrounding area, "Greater Recklinghausen", if you like. The most important influence on Recklinghausen history certainly is the mining heritage (though today mining has no great economic importance for the region) and the influx of Polish immigrants in the 19th century who helped build up the mining industry.

Recklinghausen has an observatory with a regular schedule of interesting shows on planets, the stars, and space. The star systems are displayed on the cupola of the building, while you sit and watch amazed and listen to the presentation.

The Lohtor cemetary is a historic park and burial ground with graves dating back to the 19th century. The entrance is decorated with a crucifixion scene and a warrior monument dedicated to the soldiers fallen in the World Wars.

The "Ruhrfestspielhaus" in Recklinghausen is a major theatre of the Ruhr area. Each May, there is a theatre festival which began just after WW2, when miners swapped "coal for art", meaning they supported the theatre with their work and got to see theatre in exchange. It has an interesting architecture and a small park and zoo are adjoined.

The streets that encircle the city center are called "Wall" (like "wall" in English), a reminder that they follow the old city fortifications. A small part of those walls still stands (as part of the Hotel "Engelsburg").

Every YEAR in the MAIN CITY of our Region ( KREIS RECKLINGHAUSEN ) we ll have a GREAT NIGHT MUSIC WEEKEND . This year you have over 16 PUBS in the DOWNTOWN of RECKLINGHAUSEN , where you can hear different BANDS . The MUSIC you ll hear is very different , from BLUES , SALSA , IRISH FOLK TO COVER MUSIC !!
YOU PAY ONLY ONE TIME FOR THE ENTRANCE AND THEN YOU CAN GO IN EVERY PUB TO HEAR THE DIFFERENT BANDS .

The Old Town Hall is not so old indeed (built 1908), but it surely looks older as it was built in a pseudo-renaissance style which looks quite attractive.

A few (reconstructed?) patrician houses are to be seen, as well as a huge department store building from the early 1930`s built in the Bauhaus style.