Top 15 Must-See Attractions in Witten, Germany

Situated on the Ruhr River between Bochum and Dortmund, Witten is a city steeped in a rich industrial heritage. The city’s coal mining roots take shape early on as the collieries thrived, particularly after Frederick the Great’s 1770s initiative to navigate the Ruhr. Witten officially separated from Bochum in 1899, evolving into a diverse array of neighborhoods without a centralized urban nucleus.

Witten offers an opportunity to delve into the region’s mining heritage, allowing visitors to explore one of the Ruhr’s initial mines, traverse trails adorned with remnants of mining infrastructure dating back to the 1800s, and observe historical locomotives that once transported coal and waste through the valley.

Here are the notable attractions in Witten:

1. Zeche Nachtigall

The origins of industrial coal mining come alive at one of the region’s earliest shaft mines. This pit commenced operations in 1714, with deeper shafts being established from the 1830s. After its closure in 1892 and nearly a century of neglect, the LWL-Industriemuseum revived the site. Today, visitors can don helmets and miner’s lamps to explore an authentic coal seam. The impressive steam turbine housed in the engine room has been restored, and an historical coal barge graces the canal adjacent to the old plant. On weekends, a vintage narrow-gauge locomotive operates between the mine and the Gruben- und Feldbahnmuseum (Mine and Light Railway Museum).

2. Berger Denkmal

This 20-meter sandstone tower is one of the Ruhr’s foremost landmarks, positioned at a height of 130 meters above the Ruhr’s right bank. The Berger Denkmal’s location allows visitors to gaze along the river’s course for several kilometers while appreciating the picturesque valley scenery using telescopes and informational boards. Established early in the 20th century by the Turngemeinde Witten von 1848 sports club, it serves as a memorial to co-founder Louis Constanz Berger, an early industrialist and politician.

3. Burg Hardenstein

The remnants of this medieval castle are nestled in a clearing, sheltered by towering hills on the left bank of the Ruhr. Constructed in the 14th century as a noble residence for the Counts of Hardenstein, it was not solely a defensive edifice. This historical significance contributes to the preservation of its medieval architecture, despite over 200 years of abandonment. Since 1974, a local voluntary organization has maintained the site, providing information panels regarding the castle’s history and allowing for exploration of the main hall’s remains, large fireplace, circular tower, and surrounding walls.

4. Bergbauwanderweg Muttental

A nine-kilometer hiking trail passes by the ruins of Burg Hardenstein, created in 1972 to highlight the 19th-century mining heritage within the Muttenbach stream valley. The path meanders through hilly terrain, amidst a wooded landscape featuring tunnels, headframes, hoists, ditches, spoil tips, and the six-kilometer Muttental mining railway. Many of these sites have been abandoned for over a century, each marked with informational boards detailing their construction dates and purposes. Expect to find nearby inns at regular intervals.

5. Herbeder Schleuse

Located in a picturesque area on the Ruhr beneath Burg Hardenstein, this lock was constructed at the direction of King Frederick the Great of Prussia between 1776 and 1778. The lock underwent renovations in the 19th century and was ultimately destroyed during the tsunami created by the Möhne Dam’s destruction during World War II. However, it was restored in the 1980s to facilitate passage for Witten’s pleasure boat, the MS Schwalbe. In addition, the half-timbered lock-keeper’s house, dating to 1811, now functions as a café offering traditional dishes including tarte flambée.

6. Gruben- und Feldbahnmuseum Zeche Theresia

Located along the Muttental trail at the site of the former Theresia colliery, this industrial museum features a notable collection focused on railway technology from the 19th and 20th centuries. Since 1989, vintage trains have been housed in the former railway yard, with public display of 92 locomotives and 200 wagons since 2002. Visitors will find a variety of mining carts and numerous diesel, electric, and compressed air locomotives sourced from across Europe, including peat mining trains from Lower Saxony and First World War engines that transported munitions to Belgium.

7. Marienkirche

This Neo-Romanesque church in Witten, designed by Ernst Friedrich Zwirner, features a remarkable history. Zwirner, known for his work on completing Cologne Cathedral in the 1830s, conceived the Marienkirche during the 1840s. The three-nave basilica is adorned with interior paintings from the 1910s, restored following damage sustained during World War II. The crowning feature of the interior is the Christ Pantocrator in the dome, while modern updates by sculptor Josef Baron in the 1970s include the high altar, tabernacle, baptismal font, and candlesticks.

8. Streichelzoo und Wildgehege Hohenstein

In close proximity to Berger Denkmal lies an animal park that is sure to delight children. Visitors are encouraged to bring change for purchasing animal feed from vending machines, suitable for goats, guinea pigs, and chickens. The park also features enclosures for roe deer, fallow deer, and wild boars, accessible even outside regular hours. Hohenstein, which encompasses the area around the petting zoo and animal park, is characterized by expansive meadows, sports facilities, and barbecue areas, making it an ideal spot for a serene day above the Ruhr.

9. MS Schwalbe II

The city’s own cruise vessel, the MS Schwalbe II, operates in Witten-Bommern, offering two-hour journeys along one of the Ruhr’s most scenic stretches. During the summer, sailings are available three times daily on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and four times on Saturdays and Sundays. The cruise takes passengers down to Kemnader See, passing landmarks such as the Herbede Lock, Zeche Nachtigall, and Burg Hardenstein before returning. For those wishing to extend their river exploration, a connection to another boat, the Kemnade, provides hour-long journeys around the lake.

10. Rheinischer Esel

Known as the “Rhenish Donkey,” this railway line was inaugurated in 1880, creating a connection between a network of collieries across the Ruhr region, significantly reducing transport expenses and fostering regional growth. Locals began utilizing the line for travel before the automotive era, including market traders who found it unnecessary to maintain their donkeys for transport, hence the name. However, due to diminishing mining activity, passenger service ceased in 1979, with the last freight train crossing in 2004. Currently, the Rheinischer Esel features a paved path for cyclists and pedestrians stretching through Witten between Bochum-Langendreer and Dortmund-Löttringhausen.

11. Märkisches Museum

A prominent heritage site in Witten, Märkisches Museum, established in 1911, occupies a specially designed reinforced concrete building with a sandstone facade. The museum aims to conserve the natural history and cultural heritage of the County of Mark. Over the years, the managing organization has assembled an impressive art collection numbering approximately 4,000 modern paintings, sculptures, and graphic works. The collection features works by prominent Expressionists such as Kirchner, August Macke, and Erich Heckel, alongside influential figures from the New Objectivity movement. There is also representation from the Informalist movement of the 1950s, including artists like Karl Otto Götz and Gerard Hoehme.

12. Bethaus der Bergleute

The Bethaus der Bergleute stands as the last structure of its kind in the Ruhr region, serving as a place of worship for miners employed in the Muttental collieries. Constructed in 1830, this site was historically significant, as miners would visit to pray for a safe work shift. The lower level houses a blacksmith’s forge where miners repaired their tools. Today, visitors can also engage in this traditional craft under the guidance of an experienced blacksmith. Additionally, a small exhibition curated by the Westfälisches Industriemuseum details the lives of individuals who labored in the Muttental and Ruhr Valley mines. Afterward, guests can relax in the café with a beverage while enjoying views of the verdant countryside.

13. Freizeitbad Heveney

Located on Kemnader See between Witten and Bochum, this expansive indoor and outdoor bathing facility offers a refreshing escape. Particularly inviting during hot summer days, visitors can unwind in the grassy areas adjacent to the pool. The centre’s sauna complex recently expanded to include eight rooms, featuring traditional infusion saunas alongside an “earth sauna” and a “bio sauna.” Visitors can enjoy hot and cold baths outdoors, as well as a brine pool kept at a therapeutic temperature of 32°C, complete with massage jets.

14. Days Out

Being in a conurbation such as the Ruhr provides convenient access to major urban centers like Bochum and Dortmund, which are readily accessible by both car and public transport. While in Dortmund, notable attractions include the massive Signal Iduna Park, renowned as one of the world’s foremost sporting venues, the contemporary German Football Museum, and the family-friendly Westfalenpark. In Bochum, visitors can continue to engage with the industrial theme at the German Mining Museum, the largest museum dedicated to mining worldwide.

15. Stadtgalerie Witten

For those seeking shopping opportunities in Witten, the Stadtgalerie provides a centralized hub featuring numerous major retailers. This shopping center includes familiar brands found in German city centers such as H&M, Saturn, NewYorker, S.Oliver, C&A, Intersport, Gerry Weber, and Esprit. For additional variety, one of Germany’s largest shopping malls, Ruhr-Park, is just a short ten-minute drive away. Recently upgraded and expanded in 2015, Ruhr-Park houses over 160 retail establishments and boasts an international food court with 13 dining options.