In recent years, unusual for other German cities, Dortmund has really changed. Dortmund was a “steel city”, but now grew into a modern metropolis. It is a place for technological development, has huge possibilities in the sporting and cultural sector and huge green areas. All in all, Dortmund provides a high quality of life. 

Dortmund was founded 1000 years ago. This city had 2 important periods when it was one of the most important centres in Europe. Population is around 600 thousand citizens and now is considered as an interesting metropolis. It gives the opportunity for living in attractive places with a lot of cultural, residential and recreational places.  

When to visit Dortmund

Best period to go to Dortmund is around April. This is the period when spring starts. The Atlantic Ocean is near, so Dortmund has a sub-oceanic atmosphere. The months July and August are the warmest, but it can still get cold and rain. 

Good to know about the city

In the middle of the 19th century industrialization began, after the discovery of coal and further developed mining, transportation and metallurgy. The rapid industrialization and development in steel, mining and railway industries provoked immigration in Dortmund. In this period, the population increased five times.

The transportation in Dortmund is contemporary. It has streetcars, metro, buses, and monorail. The company which is responsible for buses and trains is DSW21. The tourist can buy tickets at shops, kiosks, lottery outlets and travel agencies. Also, tourists can get to all places in the centre by foot. 

One of the best restaurants in Dortmund is Hoppy's Treff. The restaurant is run by a former player of the football team Borussia Dortmund. This restaurant offers German dishes, as well as Dieter Kurrat stories of the famous past. Also, tourists must wear a Schalke outfit. 

Famous people born in Dortmund: Bernhard Caesar Einstein (scientist), Marco Reus (Footballer), Khalid Taha (Mixed martial artist), Kevin Großkreutz (footballer), Michael Zorc (Association football player). 

What to see in Dortmund

Altes Stadthaus and Alter Markt

The main part of the old part of Dortmund is Alter Markt (Old Market). This is a huge pedestrian area and its origin is from the 12th century. Back then, the merchants would put their wares for sale. It is still a very interesting area for shopping, and has various boutiques, shops, galleries, restaurants and cafes. In the centre of this square is an old fountain, made in 1901 and Altes Stadthaus, a building from the renaissance period. The most important part of the façade is the eagle. This eagle represents the city. Another interesting building to see is the Town Hall – Berswordt Hall.

St. Reinold's Church

The most important part of the city is Reinoldikirche (St. Reinold’s Church). It has a tower which is 104 metre. Its building started in the 13th century and the church was completed in 1454 and is named after Reinold (city’s patron saint). The tower offers a wonderful view to the city, and tourists can also see 6 bells made of steel, added to the tower when the church was reconstructed after World War 2. 

Other interesting churches are St. Mary and Petrikirche. Petrikirche was made in the 14th century and has a wonderful altar consisting of 633 figures. 

Zollern Colliery

Zollern Colliery is a former site of industry, which is included as a part of Westphalian State Museum of Industrial Heritage. It has wonderful architecture, and has facades made of red bricks. The most impressive object there is the Machine Hall, constructed in 1904. It has tall steel structures, also has a huge number of machinery and artefacts, and also shows the harsh conditions for the workers. Organised tours in English can be organised. The demonstrations of mining techniques are organised in Graf Wittekind Mine, where 3 coal mines were built (used between 16th and 20th centuries). There is also Hansa Coking Plant, a plant turning coal to coke, and it is interesting to see the whole process.

Westfalenpark

Westfalenpark is a wonderful place to visit and covers 175 acres. There are several attractions in the park, including Florian Tower or Florianrunm. This is a television tower high 212 metres. On the height of 138 metres is a restaurant and it provides wonderful views of the city. In this park is also the Rosarium which holds more than 2600 types of roses. In this park is also the Trade Fair Centre, Ice Stadium (place for ice skating and roller skating) and Westfalenstadion. Westfalenstadion is the 

Hohensyburg

This is a castle complex which was built in the 8th century and is also known as Syburg. It is located 12 kilometres south of the city Dortmund in the woods, and above Ruhr valley. The castle is made of 2 keeps, quarters, and parts of the old wall. It is considered that it was built around 1100. The most early addition is a war memorial, which dates from 1930, and commemorates the victims of World War 1. 

This hill has a lot of attractions, like Vinckenturm and Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial, and is also a very interesting place for hikers. Vinkentrum is a tower with beautiful panoramic views. At the bottom of the crag is Hengsteysee, the lake made after making the dam in 1928. 

Dortmund U Tower and the Depot

Dortmund also has a huge cultural heritage, with numerous important attractions. The most important is U Tower (Dortmunder U) which is a former factory and now a place for creative and artistic activities. 

The best work produced by local and regional artists and also photographers and filmmakers. This building also is home for the Museum am Ostwall. Museum am Ostwall is the place for many paintings from the 20th century, sculptures, objects d’art, graphic art and works made by Die Brücke. 

Another place for arts is Depot. It is located in a former tram workplace, with a lot of creative enterprises. It is also offering cultural events and activities, like exhibits, movies, fairs and markets, workshops and theatrical performances. 

Port Authority Building and Museum

Dortmund is located on the Emscher River, and close to the Ruhr River. So this city is very important for transport by water. 

On the Dortmund canal are many old buildings, the most interesting is the Port Authority Building. This building is home of the museum which held the history of this port. The most notable items there are a big model of the port, a huge collection of artefacts and maps and other items which are connected to maritime history.