One day in Dortmund

Dortmund. The town with the illuminated and from far visible turning „U“. With a football team. But what would you do one day long in Dortmund?

We did a test for you.

Der Westfalenpark in Dortmund

First there is „Westfalenpark“. A huge park subdivided in many many areas and subjects. If you would want to walk it all and look at everything you might need a couple of days. So the best is to pick your choice, a small corner and discover it. If you dare you can go up the tower and have a look from above. Or you just rest on one of the large sunbathing lawns and read a book, have a nap or a picknick or watch the clouds go by. There are playgrounds and toilets and beautifully designed gardens, a gallery and pieces of art, workshops and ponds and sculpture gardens, events and a small train and and and. You have to pay an entrance fee though but the area is very tidy and looked after. With the „Ruhrcard“ you get free admission at some entrances.

Der Westfalenpark in Dortmund Der Westfalenpark in Dortmund Der Westfalenpark in Dortmund Der Westfalenpark in Dortmund Der Westfalenpark in Dortmund

In case you drag yourself away from Westfalenpark, there are other possibilities. You can stroll through the town and discover one or the other ‚Kiez‘ for example. Kiez is the regional expression for an urban quarter. We have been to the ‚Kreuzviertel‘. Nice streets. Beautiful old houses that have been colorful renovated. Art on the walls. Funny shop concepts. The obligatory kiosk and pubs with or without beer gardens. Everything together under shadowy age-old trees and full of people with different nationalities and according babble of voices. Just have a seat in one of those georgeous pavement cafes. Enjoy a piece of cake. Sit and watch. And go with the flow.

Stadtansichten Dortmund Kreuzviertel Ruhrgebiet Stadtansichten Dortmund Kreuzviertel Ruhrgebiet Stadtansichten Dortmund Kreuzviertel Ruhrgebiet Stadtansichten Dortmund Kreuzviertel Ruhrgebiet Stadtansichten Dortmund Kreuzviertel Ruhrgebiet

For the sun set we went to the skywalk. That is a long aisle on top of an old gas pipe in a former steel-mill. Via this gas pipe you can reach the furnaces. You can even walk into one of them. Step by step you can reach the top of the furnace. From there you have the best view not olive over the former industrial area but also over Dortmund. Dreamlike.

In this steel-mill 2000 people have been working and you can still see at here and there. And it still smells of oil and metal. And you are completely taken by the intertwined pipes and steps and stairs and rivets and connections. A very large area and you cannot stopp goggling and taking pictures. A visit is only possible with a guide and the number of participants is limited.

Der Skywalk durch den alten Hochofen Phoenix in Dortmund Ruhrgebiet Der Skywalk durch den alten Hochofen Phoenix in Dortmund Ruhrgebiet Der Skywalk durch den alten Hochofen Phoenix in Dortmund Ruhrgebiet Der Skywalk durch den alten Hochofen Phoenix in Dortmund Ruhrgebiet Der Skywalk durch den alten Hochofen Phoenix in Dortmund Ruhrgebiet Der Skywalk durch den alten Hochofen Phoenix in Dortmund Ruhrgebiet Der Skywalk durch den alten Hochofen Phoenix in Dortmund Ruhrgebiet Der Skywalk durch den alten Hochofen Phoenix in Dortmund Ruhrgebiet Der Skywalk durch den alten Hochofen Phoenix in Dortmund Ruhrgebiet Der Skywalk durch den alten Hochofen Phoenix in Dortmund Ruhrgebiet Der Skywalk durch den alten Hochofen Phoenix in Dortmund Ruhrgebiet Der Skywalk durch den alten Hochofen Phoenix in Dortmund Ruhrgebiet

After this fantastic and colorful event we let the day sink away at the lake „Phoenixsee“. A fomer steel-mill has been entirely replaced by a lake. Nowadays you can hardly see any left overs from the industries. Instead there is a wide water front with lots of restaurants and huge beer gardens. Very nice.

Ruhrgebiet-Dortmund-Food_1883

One day in Dortmund? Nearly too short.

Hier noch ein paar mehr Foto-Impressionen (© WaltzingMeurers) aus Dortmund