There's always something happening in Germany! Discover the colourful history of the castles and palaces, explore the fascinating museums and fun-packed amusement parks or delve into the modern fantasy worlds of musicals and variety shows. Enjoy the outstanding cuisine at the many excellent regional and international restaurants. And you really mustn't miss the popular wine and beer festivals and the German Christmas markets with their festive but serene atmosphere.

Change through culture, culture through change: a slogan that Essen is putting into practice as it approaches 2010, when it will be representing the Ruhr as the European Capital of Culture - an event that is set to attract people from all over the world. Even today, Essen has the exciting feel of a place that is constantly evolving. A thrilling mix of UNESCO World Heritage sites, big business, nature, culture and history.

Just a few decades ago, coal mines, coking plants and industry characterised the region around Essen and the Ruhr river valley roughly 80 km north of Cologne. Smoke from the chimneys covered the buildings in a veil of grey, making it hard to distinguish between the various towns and cities. But a brightly coloured butterfly has since emerged from the Ruhr "chrysalis". To experience the transformation for yourself, there is no better time to visit than 2010, when Essen represents the Ruhr as the European Capital of Culture.

1,000 industrial monuments, 200 museums, 100 arts centres, 120 theatres, 100 concert venues and 250 festivals and fairs, 19 universities and 1,000,000 football fans. Essen and the Ruhr,  Europe's third-largest conurbation is growing ever closer together: its 53 towns and cities are becoming much more like a single entity, one in which 5,300,000  people from 170 countries live together in harmony.