...princesses & coal

       ...steel & beer 

Have you ever...

• Gone scuba-diving in an old coal mine?
• Admired a light show on the side of a steel mill?
• Eaten Currywurst while dancing on an old army tank?
• Gone rock-climbing in an old bunker?
• Taken classes in the board room of an old coal factory?
• Listened to a symphony in the middle of a meadow?
• Gone swimming in old coking plant?
• Danced your heart out on a subway platform?
• Seen a Roman toilet?
• Spent a night in a medieval castle?
• Had a cocktail in the Bermuda Triangle?
• Gone to a "Love Parade"?

The Ruhr area:

• is a city founded by women & princesses
• was one of germany's dirtiest places, now cleaned up
• once provided coal and steel to all the world
• now has over 50 old mines and factories, turned into unique & fresh spaces, galleries & discotheques 
• is one of the world's leaders in alternative energy, water & logistics research
• was named Europe's Capital of Culture 2010
• is home to some of Europe's biggest parties: love parade & festivals

Want to know how these combinations came about?

See the Ruhr story....