Gelsenkirchen combines the appeal of the Ruhr with a charm all of its own - so set off on a voyage of discovery and prepare for one or two interesting surprises!

Many of the town's trademark features are just a couple of minutes' walk from the centre, so you're never more than a few steps away from surroundings which are impressive because they're so unique, or from scenery which brings abstract ideas like structural change and the history of industry unexpectedly to life.

Here you'll find not a slick façade but real life, bursting with colourful tradition of all kinds. Various hiking and cycling trails, designed around regional routes that trace the links between industry and culture, nature and architecture, invite you to discover the charm of the city - and its anything but reserved people.

The AufSchalke Arena was officially opened on 13 and 14 August 2001. The Arena, which is located next to the old Parkstadion, immediately set new standards in the art of building stadia.

“This stadium is a pilot project for the whole world”, praised FIFA President Joseph Blatter. On 20 November 2002, the Arena hosted the Germany vs Holland international match.

The ground-breaking facilities show the way forward in stadium design and make the Arena the most modern in Europe. It was lauded by former minister-president Wolfgang Clement as “football’s crowning glory”.