Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site

Historical place · Essen

Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site

Historical place · Essen

1

Gelsenkirchener Str. 181, 45309 Essen, Germany

Photos

Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site by null
Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site by Photo by shutterstock
Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site by null
Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site by null
Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site by null
Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site by null
Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site by null
Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site by null
Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site by null
Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site by null
Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site by null
Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site by null
Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site by null
Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site by null
Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site by null
Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site by null
Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site by null
Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site by null
Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site by null
Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site by null
Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site by null

Highlights

UNESCO site: former mine complex with museums, arts & concerts  

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Gelsenkirchener Str. 181, 45309 Essen, Germany Get directions

zollverein.de
@zeche_zollverein

Information

Static Map

Gelsenkirchener Str. 181, 45309 Essen, Germany Get directions

+49 201 246810
zollverein.de
@zeche_zollverein
𝕏
@zollverein

Features

wheelchair accessible parking lot
wheelchair accessible entrance

Last updated

Sep 29, 2025

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@afar

"Once the largest coal mine in the world, with the largest coking plant in Europe, the Zollverein is now a 247-acre complex dedicated to the creative industries, with everything from a design museum and performing arts center to a science hub and regular concerts. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2001, it still features the old mine infrastructure designed by Bauhaus architects Fritz Schupp and Martin Kremmer—from pits and coking plants to railway lines and former miners’ housing—and functions as part of the official Industrial Trail, drawing 1.5 million visitors a year. Former miners offer guided tours through the pithead facilities and coking plant, and guests can explore highlights like the Red Dot Design Museum, attend underground dance parties, or catch movies in the open-air cinema. There’s also an ice-skating rink in winter, a swimming pool in summer, and annual festivals like the Zechenfest (Coal Mine Festival) and Contemporary Art Ruhr fair."

The Essential Guide to North Rhine
View Postcard for UNESCO-Welterbe Zollverein

Jan

Google
The Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site is truly a unique place to visit. It is calm, clean, and beautifully maintained, offering wide open spaces perfect for walking or jogging. The mix of industrial history and modern culture makes it both inspiring and relaxing. Whether you want to enjoy peaceful strolls, explore its fascinating architecture, or simply unwind in a serene atmosphere, Zollverein is a must-see destination that combines heritage with tranquility.

Fabio Da Roit

Google
Parking is free, and information offices offer maps of this former industrial area, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The map shows the locations of the various exhibitions and indicates a circular route that takes about an hour and a half to walk at a slow pace. On Sundays when I was there, tourist trains run in the site and there are also guided tours. The ticket offices display the prices of the different tickets. I paid €10 for the Ruhr Museum and the Portal der Industriekultur, which has a panoramic terrace. This coal mine, began operating in 1932. Together with the processing plant, it occupied an area of about 100 hectares. It closed in 1986 and began its transformation into a cultural center in 1990.

Maciej Polakowski

Google
Enormous industrial complex that was changed into a free tourist zone. There are some events organized here, they were even getting ready for one, when I was there, so you would assume that's a perfect example of revitalization effort. Unfortunately that's not entirely true. Yes instead of a toxic plant there is a museum and a forest, however that is also all that's here. Some of the equipment was left under the sun on its own, getting rusty and overgrown, making it look quite sad. Most of the buildings are closed down and the guided tour shows just a fraction of them. There is also no possibility to go underground inside the coal mine, to explore its history. Thinking it was the biggest one is quite a shame. Overall even though the complex makes an amazing first expression the longer you walk through it the sadder it gets. Wasted potential...

eki, :*

Google
So pleasantly surprised by this place, it is insta worth it on its own but don’t miss out on the Ruhr museum, worth getting the full ticket to see the special exhibits. Humongous place to see not only the story is the mines but the area, its people and work. Could easily spend there several hours and still not see everything. Pair with Red Dot design museum in the same complex!

DHAVAL TARAPRA

Google
An absolutely fascinating place to visit! The Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site perfectly combines industrial history with impressive architecture. The guided tours are very informative, and walking through the old coal mine and coking plant really gives a sense of the past. The site is beautifully preserved, with museums, exhibitions, and even modern cultural spaces. A must-visit for history lovers and anyone interested in industrial heritage.

Kathryn Sander (Mood Music)

Google
A fabulous and enormous site - making the history of the Ruhr area come to life - a very interesting collection of galleries, extensive museums and what turned out to be our favorite - the Red Dot Museum starring invention and design. Only reason there are 4 stars instead of 5 is for the rudeness of the serving staff in cafe on the main floor of No 14 building - quite rude and condescending as we Aussies struggle with our German. Sadly, we probably have more German roots and heritage than they do - ancestors from Hannover, Prussia etc - perhaps they shouldn’t be in a job where they need to interact with people from all over ! We haven’t let it spoil our visit to Zollverein - and will spread the word to other Australians to make a visit.

samir kumar nath

Google
Very much interesting, well maintained, engineering excellence of building mammoth escalator lifting to 24 metres height. But for a non German speaking person, a little bit confusing to navigate through different galleries at different level.

Pauline Depière

Google
Amazing location! It's huge. You can go for a walk, take a tourist train and visit the museum or just shoot pictures of the different sites. Take your time, it's big!