Dortmund - Buses and Buses - Transportation - Attractions and Sightseeing.

Lying in the Ruhr region of western Germany, Dortmund is a major industrial center. Together with surrounding cities such as Essen and Cologne, it forms Germany's largest agglomeration with a population of more than 10 million (Dortmund alone has a population of nearly 600,000). Despite its industrial history, half of its area is now made up of parks, green spaces, forests and farmland. The city is primarily famous for its soccer team, one of the more successful in Europe - Borussia Dortmund, as well as for its beer - as recently as 100 years ago there were more than 30 breweries in Dortmund.

Dortmund's history dates back to the 9th century, when there was a settlement in the area belonging to the Carolingian Empire. In the 13th century the city became a member of the Hanseatic League, and in 1220 it became a Free City of the Reich reporting directly to the Emperor. During the industrial era, Dortmund developed as a center for mining, metallurgy and beer production. At the end of World War II, about 80% of the city's historic buildings were destroyed in Allied air raids, leaving it with few valuable monuments. However, after reconstruction, Dortmund once again became an important center of industry and technology, as well as a very green city.

Dortmund - the city's attractions

Dortmund is not typically a tourist destination. The Ruhr region itself is not a popular destination either. However, in the city you can find interesting museums, several monuments and relax amidst beautifully landscaped greenery. Below is a list of the most interesting attractions in the city of soccer, beer and... rhinos.

Old Market Square (Alter Markt)

Dortmund's market square dates back to the 12th century. It's where you'll find the most traces of the city's old buildings. The fountains present there still served as animal troughs in the early 20th century. While in the vicinity, go for a coffee or enjoy a local beer in one of the cafes located there.

St. Rajnold Church (Reinoldkirche)

The Lutheran church dedicated to St. Rajnold, the city's patron saint, dates back to the 13th century. Remnants of the surviving Romanesque fragments of the basilica can still be seen in the present building. Inside, the Late Gothic chancel is particularly noteworthy. At 104 meters, the church's tower is a distinctive point towering over the city and marking its geographical center. You can climb the stairs to it and admire the panorama of Dortmund from there.

St. Mary's Church (Marienkirche)

This is an Evangelical Lutheran church dating back to the early 13th century, combining elements of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. The end of World War II and Allied air raids caused partial destruction of the church, but it managed to preserve some medieval works of art, such as historic altars and paintings.

Westfalenpark

This is a 70-hectare park that was created on the site of, among other things, heaps and a former landfill. Today it attracts visitors with its well-kept alleys, beautiful vegetation and many attractions, such as a rose garden, a Japanese garden, playgrounds, playgrounds and a narrow-gauge railroad. The centerpiece of the park is the Florianturm (Florian Tower), a 212-meter-high observation television tower. A revolving restaurant is located at 138 meters, from which one can enjoy a panoramic view of the city from all sides without moving.

Museum of German Football

Not far from Dortmund's main train station is a museum frequented by soccer enthusiasts. There you can learn about the history of German soccer from 1874 to the present. The attractions inside are mostly multimedia, interactive, sometimes quite unusual and thus interesting even for those not particularly interested in soccer.

Winged rhinos

You can come across rhinos with wings in various places around the city. The idea for such an unusual enrichment of urban space appeared in 2000, when a figure was placed in front of the entrance to the philharmonic hall, a rhinoceros intended to depict the power of music, while its wings - to show the impact of soft sounds on the environment. More rhinos appeared in the city on the occasion of the World Cup held there in 2006, at that time each representing a different participating country. Today there are more than a hundred of them.