Tourist Attractions in Bochum
Bochum, in the heart of the Ruhr, between the rivers Emscher and Ruhr, offers a textbook example of the structural change which is taking place in the economy of this region. This town which owed its rise to coal and steel no longer has any mines and has acquired new industrial and commercial interests. In addition to its traditional steel industry it now manufactures cars (Opel) and radio and television sets. In the scientific and cultural field it has the Ruhr University (opened 1965), the Institute of Environmental Research and Futurology and its Schauspielhaus (Theater). It is also the home of the German Shakespeare Society.
German Mining Museum
The German Mining Museum in Bochum has a demonstration pit, a winding-tower and a geological collection.
Hours
January 1 to December 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
May Day / Labor Day (May 1)
New Year's Eve (December 31)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
May Day / Labor Day (May 1)
New Year's Eve (December 31)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
Bochum Geological Garden
The Bochum Geological Garden, on the site of an old pit, gives a clear picture of the local rock structures. It is in the south of the town.
Haus Kemnade
On the left bank of the Ruhr in Stiepel stands Haus Kemnade, a moated house of 1664 which now contains the Bochum Museum's collection of material on the history of the town, a Farmhouse Museum and a collection of musical instruments.
Helfs Hof - Heimatmuseum
Helfs Hof, in Bochum's southwestern Sevinghausen district, is a farmhouse dating from about 1560 which is now the Wattenscheider Heimatmuseum (furniture, craft tools, documents).
Lake Kemnade
On Lake Kemnade, just outside of Bochum and formed by a dam on the Ruhr, are a boating harbor and a regatta course.
Municipal Park
The Municipal Park in Bochum has a zoo (Tierpark; 1,000 animals of 235 species) and an outlook tower.
Propsteikirche
The 14th C. Propsteikirche in Bochum's town center contains the Romanesque shrine of St Perpetua.
Railway Museum
In the Dahlhausen district of Bochum is the Railway Museum (old steam, electric and diesel locomotives, rolling-stock, signalling systems, etc.).
Hours
April 1 to October 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 15:00 |
November 1 to March 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 13:00 |
Ruhr University
Ruhr University in Bochum has a well-known art collection (antiquities, coin collection, modern art).
Ruhr University - Botanic Garden
Within the Ruhr University grounds in Bochum lies the Botanic Garden (designed for research but also open to the public).
Sternwarte Planetarium
The Planetarium in Bochum illustrates the movements of heavenly bodies and the orbits of artificial satellites.
Opened in 1964, this planetarium contains a Zeiss IV-A telescope and a 20 meter dome.
Opened in 1964, this planetarium contains a Zeiss IV-A telescope and a 20 meter dome.
Planetarium Sternwarte Bochum
Castroperstrasse 67
D-44791 Bochum
Germany
Castroperstrasse 67
D-44791 Bochum
Germany
Hours
June 1 to October 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | 14:30 | 14:30 | 14:30 | 14:30 | 14:30 |
| Close | 20:30 | 20:30 | 20:30 | 20:30 | 20:30 |
Guides
Interpretive sessions sometimes available.
Stiepel
Stiepel, 10km/6mi southeast of Bochum, is home to the Late Romanesque Marienkirche (St Mary's Church; frescoes) of around 1200.
Attractions in Other Popular Destinations
