Oberhausen: Industrial Heritage, Exhibitions and Park

Oberhausen combines the history of its industrial facilities with exhibitions, a striking bridge sculpture and the landscape around the Rhine-Herne Canal. This offers different focuses for planning your trip: you can explore cultural venues, a park, an aquarium and leisure activities individually.

Industrial history in exhibition venues

Built in 1929, the Gasometer Oberhausen was a coke-oven gas holder and today serves as an exhibition hall. The building combines its former industrial function with its current use for exhibitions. The LVR Industrial Museum Peter Behrens Building offers another perspective on a former industrial building: it was the main warehouse of the Gutehoffnungshütte. The permanent exhibition “Peter Behrens – Art and Technology” is on the fifth floor. Both venues are a good choice if you would like to explore Oberhausen’s industrial history through its buildings and their current cultural use.

The LUDWIGGALERIE Schloss Oberhausen offers a different focus. It is housed in a pink Neoclassical palace. Its history probably dates back to a manor from the 12th or 13th century. Special exhibitions present works from the collection of Peter and Irene Ludwig, which spans from antiquity to the present day. When choosing cultural destinations for your stay, you can therefore distinguish between industrial architecture and a broad span of art history.

Kaisergarten, canal and bridge art

The Kaisergarten, covering around 28 hectares, lies on the south bank of the Rhine-Herne Canal; the entire site is designated a landscape conservation area. The Kaisergarten animal enclosure specialises in native wild animals and domestic breeds. Another highlight is Slinky Springs to Fame: this 406-metre-long bridge sculpture crosses the canal from the Kaisergarten to Emscher Island. Its 496 aluminium arches make the structure itself the focus. The Rhine-Herne Canal, which is over 100 years old, runs from east to west through the centre of Oberhausen and is ideal for cycling, hiking and jogging. The Ruhr Valley Cycle Route also passes through the city. Both are relevant for cyclists.

More experiences and practical planning

More than 5,000 marine creatures live in over 50 specially designed tanks at SEA LIFE Oberhausen. Visitor attractions include a ten-metre-long acrylic-glass tunnel that you can walk through. Revierpark Vonderort offers a sauna complex with seven saunas and a steam bath; check the operational details before your visit. If you would like to see inside Vondern Castle, this is only possible by appointment.

The Gasometer is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; it is closed on Mondays. SEA LIFE is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., with last admission at 5 p.m. Check opening hours again before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Sterkrade, Viersen, Ennepe-Ruhr district, Euskirchen, Siegen-Wittgenstein, Unna, Leverkusen, Coesfeld.

Return to the main travel overview: North Rhine-Westphalia.