Ruhr Metropolis

back home from a 2-day short trip to the "Ruhr" region of germany, to visit 2 friends, and to get a taste of Ruhr 2010:

here's a bit about that region: "With 4435 km² and a population of some 7.3 million, it is the largest urban agglomeration in Germany, and the fourth largest urban area in Europe after Moscow, London and Paris. It consists of several large, formerly industrial cities. Industrialization began in the region with the establishment of several iron works in the late 18th century. By 1850, almost 300 coal mines were in operation in the region."

the second picture is a "coal" picture, the villa is called "Villa Hügel", it belongs to the Krupp family. (think Denver and Dallas, only that it’s not oil, but coal).

In the last decades, more and more coal mines were closed as the demand for coal decreased, and the whole region now goes through phases of structural crisis. The green coal mining tower stands next to a highway, it's now an industrial monument: "Förderturm Grube Günter". In 2010 the Ruhr became "European Capital of Culture" (Official website: New in Europe: the Ruhr Metropolis).

And that's how the whole trip fell into place: one of the friends lives there temporarily, the other moved there a while ago. plus, i never been to this region before. it was good, this short trip. so many different sights, and an ever-changing sky.