Essen

Essen has a long history; leaving the city a collection of invaluable treasures, the royal abbesses played a major part in shaping Essen far longer than the industrial Krupp dynasty ever did. Rescued from centuries of plundering and fire, the Prussians and air raids, these precious items are now on public view in their full splendour. Despite the ravages of war and post-war planning, there are traces of a mixed history with glimpses into a bright future and the promise of a new dawn of prosperity to be seen everywhere in Essen, a European Capital of Culture in 2010. This book describes Essen in pictures and words – its medieval history and its metropolitan present, its cultural, exciting, relaxing and comfortable facets, its industrial past and its architectural highlights of today.