Hattingen - town in the district of Ennepe-Ruhr-Kreis, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Hattingen is a city in Ruhr. It is known for its medieval core and abandoned steel mill. It has a population of about 54,000 (2020).

Understand

History

Hattingen was first mentioned in 990 as Hatneggen, followed by the founding of the town in 1396. In 1554 the town was recognised by the Hanseatic League, and its location helped the textile trade to flourish. After some run-ins with the French and Swedes, the town continued to grow steadily. Following the establishing of the Henrichshütte steelworks in 1854, Hattingen started booming rapidly. WW2 meant massive support for the regime and also becoming an important air raid target. After heavy damage the historic town was rebuild but neglected in the post-war period, though public resistance meant only parts of it were demolished in the 1970s. Despite large protests, increasing competition and a bad location caused the closure of the steelworks from 1987 on, causing the loss of almost 10,000 workers and leaving a massive scar to this day. The city managed the transition to service industry better and doesnt give off the typical grimy Ruhrgebiet aura as much and focuses on tourism, with the former steel works becoming a museum and the historic old town drawing in tourists, but not yet being overrun.

Geography

Hattingen is a collection of settlements in a hilly area, with the Ruhr River running through the north of it, near the city centre.

The centre of the historic core is St Georg's Church. Heggerstraße is the main shopping street and slowly rises up in elevation from the plateau of Hattingen Mitte as you go north.

In clockwise-order the smaller settlements are:

• Welper, a garden suburb featuring a lot of greenery. Originally build for the workers and their families of the nearby steelworks. Stores and eateries can be found along "Marxstraße" and "Thingstraße".
• Blankenstein, small and formerly an independent town before 1971, it offers Burg Blankenstein, a small core with historic buildings and a great vista over the Ruhr Valley.
• Holthausen, a suburb developed in multiple stages since the 1960s, not much of touristic worth can be found here, location of rehabilitation clinic.
• Bredenscheid, small village, lies on cycle path to Wuppertal. Accommodation, two eateries and a 'Sparkasse' ATM can be found here. South of it mostly nature.
• Niederstüter, small settlements between natural areas, great area for walks and hikes. 'Wodantal' valley is a popular road for motorbikes on weekends.
• Elfringhausen, basically the same as Niederstüter but to the west, focused along 'Felderbachstraße' road. No public transport lines serve it directly.
• Niederbonsfeld, private single-family houses between horse stables and fields. No facilities except petrol station on "Kohlenstraße", near the south end of "Tippelstraße"Niederwenigern, more affluent town above the Ruhr Valley, large catholic cathedral and hospital, shops of daily needs along "Essener Straße"
• Winz-Baak, another 1960s era suburb, mix of single- and multifamily buildings, above Ruhr meadows.
• Rauendahl, similar to Winz-Baak but with more diverse population. An 'Aldi' market and a couple shops for daily needs can be found at the entry to the neighbourhood.

Tourism information

• Tourism Office (Touristeninformation), Haldenplatz 3 (From shopping centre walk to left of 'Kaufland', turn right at corner and left at second street, use right alley), 51.3977°, 7.1837°, +49 02324 204 3095, info@hattingen-marketing.de. M-F 09:00-13:00, 14:00-16:00; Sa 10:00-13:00. Gives information about city. 2021-11-18

Get in

By plane

The nearest airports are

• Düsseldorf Airport (dead link: January 2023), 40km away.

By car: Take A44 follow signs for Velbert, take exit 38 'Langenberg', right, left at first traffic light, follow signs for Hattingen

Public transport: Take skytrain to Airport station, board regional services RE1, 2, 5, 6 or 11 to Essen Hauptbahnhof, take S3 to Hattingen Mitte (S) station.

• Dortmund Airport , also about 30km away.

By car: Take B1/A40 westbound towards Essen, change to A43 at Exit 38 Kreuz Bochum, exit 21 Witten-Herbede, follow signs for Hattingen.

Public Transport: Take the expensive shuttle bus to Dortmund or use Bus #490 for Aplerbeck U, change to U47, change at Dortmund Hauptbahnhof, use RE1 or 6 to Bochum, use Bus #SB37 or Subway 308 to Hattingen.

By train and public transport

Hattingen Mitte (Busbahnhof/ ZOB), 51.397°, 7.1821°. Central bus/tram/train/taxi station. If you arrive by those in Hattingen, it'll likely be here. 2021-11-14

Long-distance train services stop in nearby Bochum and Essen, both can be reached from Hattingen in ca. 25-30 minutes on public transport. Suburban Railway S3 runs every 30 minutes from Oberhausen via Essen to Hattingen, terminating at an underground station. Before that, it'll stop at Hattingen (Ruhr) Station, which is always disabled-accessible, unlike Hattingen Mitte station, whose elevator often may not work.

Streetcar line 308 connects the northeast and centre of Bochum to Hattingen every 15 min M-Sa, every 30 min on Sunday and holidays.

The bus station serves local and regional buses, digital signs show you the scheduled departure times whilst you wait in the cold.

See the website of regional transport authority VRR for specific schedules, fares and further information.

Coaches on booked trips will drop you off at the car park next to a large World War II bunker across from Reschop-Carree centre.

By car

Autobahn A43 from North: Exit 21 Witten-Herbede, follow signs Hattingen, keep following main road past Blankenstein, turn off short dual-carriageway, left, at second light (large building straight ahead) left, up the hill and follow signs.

From South: A43 Exit 22 Sprockhövel, follow signs for Hattingen, park at Reschop-Carre.

Get around

Walking is the primary mode of transport in the historic centre. People with mobility issues should keep in mind that the pavement in the historic centre can be a little difficult to navigate at certain spots and several alleys are only accessed by stairs.

Low-floor buses serve Hattingen and cost €2.90 per ride (€1.70 for up to 4 stops) or €6 to Essen and Bochum per VRR fares. Most services operate roughly 05:00 to 00:00 during the week.

On fri-, saturday and holiday nights, hourly night express service NE4 connects to neighbouring Bochum.

Taxis are available at the stand under the pedestrian bridge at Hattingen Mitte station or to be called. Several small operators exist, fares are €3.50 base plus €2.10/km at day, and €4.50 plus €2.10/km at night.

See

• LWL-Industriemuseum Henrichshütte, Werksstraße 31-33 (Bus: "Henrichshütte" 350,SB37 / "Industriemuseum" 554), 51.407478°, 7.18922°, +49 2324 9247140. Tu-Su 10:00-18:00, last admission 1:007, closed Monday and 31 Dec/1 Jan. Old defunct steel works turned museum, blast furnace open for visitors. 2021-11-18
• Historic Town Centre (Altstadt), 51.39804°, 7.18468°. Historic town centre, half-timbered houses, cobblestone alleys, ruins of old defence wall. 2021-10-21
• Burgruine Blankenstein (Burg Blankenstein ruins), Burgstr. 16 45527 Hattingen ("Burg Blankenstein" 350 or "Museum/Klinik" SB38, 350), 51.40692°, 7.23041°. Partially reconstructed ruins of medieval castle, great vista over Ruhr Valley. Location of granting Bochum's town rights in 1321. Today it houses a restaurant. 2021-10-22
• Bismarck Tower (Bismarckturm), Schulenburgstr ("Schulenburg" Bus 359), 51.3862°, 7.184°. 11m tall stone 'tower' build in 1901 to honour former Reichs-Chancellor Otto von Bismarck. Key can be borrowed from nearby Schulenburg restaurant. 2021-11-13
• Isenburg Castle Ruins (Burgruine Isenburg), Am Isenberg 2 ("Isenberg" 331, 141 or "Isenberger Weg" 647), 51.3875°, 7.152°. Ruins of late 12th/early 13th-century Isenburg castle, ruins dug out 1969-1989 by local school club, great view over Hattingen and Ruhr, small museum open Sun/Holiday afternoons. 2021-12-01
• Haus Kemnade, An der Kemnade 10 ("Haus Kemnade" 350 or "Steinenhaus" SB38, SB67, 320, 350), 51.4076°, 7.2494°. Medieval water castle next to Ruhr, houses an instrument exhibition of Museum Bochum gallery aswell as a restaurant and marriage chapel. 2021-12-01

Do

• Christmas Market, inside city centre ("Hattingen Mitte" station), 51.3979°, 7.1845°. Christmas Market annually, 21 Nov - 22 Dec 2021. Food, drinks, souvenirs between half-timbered houses. Covid19 Vaccination or negative test required free 2021-10-21
• Ruhrtalradweg, 51.4055°, 7.1745°. 240-km bike path along River Ruhr, Winterberg - Duisburg. 2021-10-21
• Skatepark Hattingen, along Ruhr, at the end of "Ruhrdeich" ("Ruhrallee" Bus 554, Runs M-F only), 51.41°, 7.1824°. Open 10-22. Small skate park next to Ruhr River in commercial estate. 2021-11-25
• Enjoy the Ruhr Meadows, 112 (emergency). On sunny days you can find locals enjoying the meadows besides the Ruhr, but you should never attempt to swim in it, drowning victims are sadly an occurrence almost every summer. 2021-11-25
• Glückauf-Trasse, 51.3895°, 7.185°. 27-km-long former Hattingen - Wuppertal Railway via Sprockhövel, closed in 1988, now foot- and cycle path. Its not paved but else well maintained, no lights at night. Plenty of nature and occasional railway remnants like tunnels, bridges, station buildings. 2021-12-25

Buy

• Reschop Carré, Reschop-Carré Platz 1 (next to Hattingen Mitte transit hub), 51.3977°, 7.1812°, +49 2324 6865435. 09:00-20:30. Shopping centre. Clothes, food and electronics, public library and toilets. 2021-10-21
• Wochenmarkt (Farmers Market), Rathausplatz/ Große Weilstraße. Tu 09:00-15:00, Sa 07:30-13:00. Farmers market twice a week, fresh bread and produce. Tuesdays on "Große Weilstraße" infront of 'Kaufland' Supermarket, Saturdays on "Rathausplatz", near new city hall. 2021-11-03
• Hattinger Markt, Martin-Luther-Straße 24 (Bus "Engelbertstraße"), 51.3992°, 7.1768°, +4923243951888. M-Sa 07:00-19:00. Small Turkish and Middle Eastern grocery store, good selection of ethnic products, halal meat and cheap fruit and veggies. Wheelchair accessible but narrow. 2022-01-03

Eat

Most restaurants can be found in the historic centre, surrounded by Martin-Luther-Str / Schulstraße / Augustrastraße and August-Bebel-Straße. Besides that, eateries and restaurants can be found throughout most of the city.

• China Express Van Loi, Kreisstraße 11 (from city centre walk west on Bahnhofstr, turn left on Kreisstr. Tram 308 "Bahnhofstr.), 51.3996°, 7.17709°, +492324593110. Tu-F 12:00-15:00 & 17:00-21:00, Sa Su 16:00-21:00. Asian restaurant with seating area hidden away, access difficult for mobility-impaired. 2021-11-10
• Pizzeria Tonino, Kirchplatz 3 (next to St Georg Church), 51.39816°, 7.18435°, +49232452267. 12:00 - 22:00. Italian trattoria/pizzeria. 2021-11-13
• Richie's Diner, Kleine Weilstr. 16, 51.39893°, 7.18328°, +4923246852022. Th-Su 17:00-22:00. Small restaurant serving American burgers, fries, etc. 2021-11-10
• Restaurant Haveli, Johannisstr. 8, 51.3989°, 7.1844°, +4923243916158, info@haveli-hattingen.de. Tu-Th 12:00-15:00, 17:00-22:00; F Sa 12:00-15:00, 17:00-23:00; Su 12:00-15:00, 17:00-21:30; closed Mondays. Indian Restaurant, small but genuine. 2021-11-19
• Asia-Palast (Mongolisches Grillrestaurant Asia-Palast), Wittener Str. 8 ("Burg Blankenstein" 350), 51.4056°, 7.2296°, +492324687989. M W-Sa 12:00-15:00, 17:00-22:30; Su 12:00-22:30; closed Tuesdays. Asian restaurant opposite Burg Blankenstein, dine-in or take away (call before), Buffet starting €10-17, casual. 2021-11-22

• SIDE Döner, Langenberger Str 3 (corner between Kaufland supermarket and 'Reschop Carree' shopping centre), 51.3977°, 7.1818°. Su-Th 10:00-22:00, F Sa 10:00-04:00. A small Döner Kebab place, take away only, long opening hours on weekends. 2021-11-22

Drink

• Barney Kirnan's, Keilstraße 3, 51.398°, 7.1833°, +49232423401. Su-Th 17:00 - 01:00, F Sa 17:00-03:00. Irish pub in a half-timbered house, cozy. 2021-11-14
• Torkelkeller, Kirchplatz 4 (entry via Haldenplatz), 51.3979°, 7.1842°, +491702838690. F Sa night before holidays 22:00-04;00. Small cozy bar hidden away. Good atmosphere. 2021-11-18

Sleep

• Campingplatz Ruhrbrücke in Hattingen, Ruhrstraße 6 ("Hattingen Ruhrbrücke" 308/359, cross under Bridge), 51.405992°, 7.170616°, +49 2324 80038, info@camping-hattingen.de. From €8/night 2021-11-25
• Zur alten Krone (Hotel/ Wirtshaus Zur alten Krone), Steinhagen 8 (right in the middle of the centre), 51.3974°, 7.1847°, +492324506771, info@zur-alten-krone.de. Friendly hotel. Lower floor has restaurant of the same name. TV, free WiFi, secure bike parking, car park at nearby public garage. 2021-11-18
• Hotel Birschel-Mühle, Schleußenstr 8 (Hattingen (S) S3,359,554 / Bahnhofstr 308, cross railway on 'Bochumer Str.' bridge, use ramp on left side (northbound), cross under main road), 51.4032°, 7.1722°, +4923249100871, hotel@birschel-muehle.de. Small hotel in old mill building next to Ruhr River, awarded by German Cyclists Assoc. , Restaurant closed due to flood damage. single room from 60€/night 2021-11-25
• Avantgarde Hotel, Welperstrasse 49 (Bus stop "Hüttenstr" 350, walk down Welperstr.), 51.4054°, 7.193°, +49232450970. Hotel north of centre, free wifi and cycle storage, rooms slightly dated but clean, restaurant. 10-15 min walk into centre. 2021-11-25
• Ruhr Inn Hotel & Sauna, Eickener Str 41 (Bus stop "Engelbertstr" 359, 554. From centre: walk west between tower blocks, across small pedestrian bridge. From Ruhr: onto "Kreisstr." at McDonalds, left after LIDL, after 150 m left again), 51.3975°, 7.1736°, +49232439567100, info@ruhr-inn.de. Check-in: 14:00-20:00, check-out: 08:00-11:00. Hotel, spa, conference rooms, located 500 m west of centre, secure bike storage, free wifi, hotel bar open 17:00-22:00. Single room from €72/night 2021-12-01

Connect

Post service

Deutsche Post (Post office), Moltkestr. 6 (Bus 350 "Hüttenstraße", enter pedestrian street and right at first cross street), 51.402°, 7.1866°. M-F 09:30-13:00, 14:00-17:00; Sa 09:00-13:00. Post office. 2021-10-22

Hattingen's postal codes are 45525, 45527 and 45529. If in doubt just use 45525, it all goes through the same grumpy post office anyways.

The telephone area code is 02324.

Internet

Public wifi is spotty but available, as alternative the McDonald's (Kreisstr. 29a), west of the centre, offers free wifi. During its opening hours the public library on the 3rd floor of the Reschop-Carree has wifi and public PCs against a small fee.

Newspaper

The two local and regional papers are Stadtspiegel and WAZ, which won't be of great use if you don't speak german. The former one has birth and death announcements in it.

For international news you'll have to use the internet like normal people or make use of the book store at e.g. Essen central station.

Cope

Mosque =

• DITIB Fatih Moschee, Martin-Luther-Straße 24, Tel: +492324919501

Go next

• Bochum Large university city with the regions prime bar&club area.
• Essen The Ruhr area's central shopping location, Gruga fair grounds and park, formerly home of world-famous Krupp Steel works.
• Dortmund The gate to Westphalia, bustling city centre, BVB football club
• Düsseldorf More posh than the Ruhr Area, large international airport, luxury shopping and strolls along the mighty Rhine
• Cologne Germany's 4th largest city, entertainment hotspot, fairs and exhibitions, cologne cathedral, very lgbtq-friendly, founded by romans.