Situated between Oberhausen and Gelsenkirchen on the Rhine-Herne Canal, Bottrop is a city in the Ruhr area that retains elements of heavy industry. Several active collieries continue to operate, supporting coal-derivative manufacturing facilities. Spoil heaps are prominent in Bottrop’s geography, having been transformed into community spaces featuring woodlands and contemporary art installations.
Summary
In locations where industrial activity has diminished, family-oriented attractions have taken their place. The Zeche Prosper II colliery now showcases a thrilling indoor horror experience and is home to the longest indoor ski slope globally. Additionally, Bottrop houses Movie Park, a theme park where stunt performances and roller coasters vividly represent Hollywood films and television series.
Let us examine the most remarkable activities in Bottrop:
1. Quadrat Bottrop – Josef Albers Museum
This museum, located in Stadtpark, celebrates the legacy of Bottrop-born artist and educator Josef Albers.
A distinguished member of the Bauhaus school, he emigrated to the United States following the school’s closure by the Nazis in 1933. Albers was instrumental in developing a renowned art education program during his time in America.
The opening of this museum in 1983 was attended by notable figures, including Chancellor Helmut Kohl and former Vice President George H. W. Bush. Visitors can trace Albers’ artistic journey, from his early Expressionist paintings through his glass works, landscapes, engravings, and photomontages.
An exhibition dedicated to natural and local history features a mammoth skeleton, alongside a modern gallery that hosts Concrete and Constructivist art exhibitions.
The outdoor area boasts a sculpture garden with contemporary pieces by artists such as Walter Dexel and Max Bill.
2. Tetraeder Bottrop
Perched atop the Halde Beckstraße spoil heap, this striking public art installation, conceived by architect Wolfgang Christ in 1995, invites exploration. This hollow, walkable tetrahedron was realized as part of the Internationale Bauausstellung Emscher Park, a decade-long initiative that enriched the Ruhr area with public art and contemporary architecture.
Inspired by the “Sierpinski triangle,” the structure features a spiral staircase leading to its apex.
From approximately 100 meters above sea level, visitors can gaze upon notable landmarks of the Ruhr, including Essen’s Hauptbahnhof, and even catch a glimpse of the Rheinturm in Düsseldorf.
3. Schloss Beck
Located in the Kirchhellen-Feldhausen district, Schloss Beck is a Late Baroque palace designed by the esteemed architect Johann Conrad Schlaun for a high-ranking military official.
This site offers a dual experience: adults can marvel at its 1770s architecture and restored interiors, while children can enjoy the theme park situated within the estate.
The theme park, established in the 1960s to aid restoration funding, features carousels, novice roller coasters, a miniature train, a splash ride, a boating lake, and a tree canopy walk.
A few of the rooms within the palace offer child-friendly dioramas, along with a thematic dungeon located in the cellar.
4. Movie Park Germany
Adjacent to Schloss Beck in Bottrop-Kirchhellen is a theme park dedicated to the film industry and the enchanting allure of cinema.
The park is segmented into seven themed areas, such as the Old West, Santa Monica Pier, Streets of New York, and “Nickland,” inspired by Nickelodeon and its characters.
Each area features rides, stunt performances, mazes, and audiovisual displays based on popular movies and television programs like Ice Age and The Walking Dead.
A visit in autumn allows for participation in the Halloween Horrorfest, featuring six horror-themed mazes and over 250 actors portraying frightening characters.
5. Grusellabyrinth NRW
Emphasizing the thrill of horror, Bottrop is also home to Germany’s largest themed horror attraction.
Grusellabyrinth NRW features a substantial cast of actors, alongside 16 labyrinths, themed trails, and interactive performances, all characterized by high production quality and a variety of props.
This attraction is located in the former washhouse and changing area of the Zeche Prosper II colliery, housed within a vast hall that showcases industrial-era brick architecture.
Grusellabyrinth NRW is designed for adult and teen aficionados of horror but also offers lighter, family-friendly experiences suitable for children aged eight and older.
6. Halde Haniel
Another expansive spoil heap, Halde Haniel ranks among the highest elevations in the Ruhr, reaching 185 meters above sea level.
This site was constructed in the shape of two spirals and consists of materials extracted from Bottrop’s Prosper-Haniel mine.
Several points of interest can be found around Halde Haniel’s summit.
One notable feature is a cross, located at the former highest point of the heap, erected to commemorate Pope John Paul II’s visit to the region in 1987. The cross is flanked by 15 stations that depict the passion of Christ, along with installations of historical mining equipment.
Nearby, the Bergarena, an outdoor amphitheater with 800 seats, hosts theater and opera productions during the summer months.
The lower areas of Halde Haniel are now replete with thick deciduous forests, showcasing the area’s natural regeneration.
7. Alpincenter Bottrop
While visiting an industrial city within the Ruhr, one may not anticipate winter sports activities; however, Bottrop is home to the world’s longest indoor ski slope.
The slope, operational since 2001, measures 640 meters in length and 30 meters in width, with a snow depth of 40 centimeters.
Since 2011, the center has generated most of its energy from one of the largest solar power facilities in the region, comprising 18,600 panels.
Over the past 16 years, Alpincenter has diversified its offerings by introducing outdoor attractions, including a one-kilometer-long summer toboggan run on rails and a high ropes course featuring 13 stations.
8. Indoor Skydiving Bottrop
Adjacent to the Alpincenter is another remarkable sports facility.
Indoor Skydiving, introduced in 2008, provides the experience of freefall skydiving without the necessity of jumping from an aircraft.
This center features one of the tallest vertical wind tunnels in Europe, as well as one of the most technologically sophisticated wind tunnels in the world.
The turbine can produce consistent airflow up to 286 kilometers per hour, thereby simulating the exhilarating dynamics and sensations of actual freefall, all without the associated risks.
No prior experience is necessary, and children as young as four can participate under the supervision of skilled instructors.
9. Zeche Prosper II
While coal mining has largely diminished as an industry in the Ruhr region, Bottrop remains one of the few municipalities with an operational mine.
The Prosper colliery, established in 1861, is still active.
Out of the nine shafts excavated over the last 150 years, two are still operational: Prosper IV and Prosper V. Meanwhile, Prosper II serves as the site for several attractions within Bottrop, including the Alpincenter, Tetraeder, and Grusellabyrinth.
Prominently visible across the landscape are the historic headframe and machine tower of Prosper II, which date back to the 1910s and are maintained as a visitable industrial monument.
10. BernePark
Situated between the Emscher River and the Rhine-Herne Canal, BernePark is an outdoor venue that was developed in celebration of the Ruhr’s tenure as the European Capital of Culture in 2010. It showcases the area’s industrial architecture while integrating art and nature.
Remarkably, this area was previously a sewage treatment plant until 1997.
Much of the original machinery and infrastructure have been repurposed, including large concrete tubes that now serve as accommodations for the park’s hotel.
The basins that once contained sewage have been converted into beautiful gardens, and the Emscher Cycle Route runs through the park.
A visit to the former machine hall, now a restaurant with a spacious outdoor terrace, provides a refreshing retreat during summer months.
11. Glockenspiel Bottrop
Located at Hansastraße 10, Bottrop’s glockenspiel is perched above a watch and goldsmith establishment, installed in 1957 by owner Gerd Triffterer. Comprising 25 bronze bells cast by a Dutch foundry, this instrument has a total weight exceeding one ton.
In 1982, a metallic figure of a miner was added atop the largest bell to honor Bottrop’s mining heritage.
The bells are capable of playing 17 distinct melodies, which vary with the seasons.
To hear the chimes, one can listen for the hourly rings between 10:00 and 18:00, with shorter chimes every 15 minutes, excluding lunch hours.
12. Stolpersteine
As one traverses the streets of Bottrop, they may encounter small brass plaques embedded in the pavement.
These plaques are part of an ambitious Europe-wide initiative by artist Gunter Demnig, aimed at commemorating the victims of National Socialism and the Holocaust.
The project commenced in 1992, marking 50 years since Heinrich Himmler signed the Auschwitz-Erlass (decree), which mandated the deportation of Roma and Sinti prisoners to extermination camps.
Numerous Stolpersteiner have been installed in Bottrop from 2005 to 2011, indicating the residences of victims of the Nazi regime and providing details about their fates.
A notable figure commemorated is Bernhard Poether, a Roman Catholic priest and dissident, who resided at Fördenkamp 27 and was executed at Dachau in 1942.
13. Schloss Horst
Although located in the municipality of Gelsenkirchen, Schloss Horst is merely ten minutes by car from Zeche Prosper II and is one of the most well-preserved and significant noble estates in Westphalia.
Since 1988, the city has managed the building and its picturesque grounds, transforming it into a cultural center and historic attraction.
The Glashalle serves as an event hall, where the central courtyard has been enveloped in a glass canopy, highlighting the palace’s conserved, three-story façades.
The museum offers visitors a glimpse into Schloss Horst’s golden era during the 1500s and illustrates the livelihoods of blacksmiths, stonemasons, and carpenters of the time.
14. Nordsternpark
Conveniently situated nearby is a park established on the former site of the Zeche Nordstern colliery, which ceased operations in 1993. The site was not left dormant, as plans soon emerged to convert it into a park for the Bundesgartenschau (Federal Garden Show) in 1997. Presently, Nordsternpark is a highlight of the Ruhr’s Industrial Heritage Trail and a member of the European Garden Heritage Network.
The park features an open-air amphitheater along the Rhine-Herne Canal, docks for summer cruises, and a 63-meter mining tunnel.
It also showcases numerous public art installations, including the Herkules von Gelsenkirchen, an impressive 18-meter statue of Hercules that rests 100 meters above the park on the former engine tower.
15. Christmas Market
From mid-November to just before Christmas Day, a festive market unfolds in the most picturesque square of Bottrop.
Rathausplatz is beautifully framed by the Neo-Renaissance town hall, constructed at the beginning of the 20th century.
During these five weeks, the air is infused with distinct aromas synonymous with German Christmas festivities, including roasted almonds, mulled wine, Lebkuchen (gingerbread), Bratwurst, and popcorn.
Sixty stalls populate the square, offering these delightful treats along with handicrafts, decorations, and toys.
The market features a special tent or crèche for children, complete with puppet shows, games, and entertainment, allowing parents an opportunity to enjoy a glass of mulled wine.
