Hattingen , as modern as any other city…still, the heart of the city, once you’ve escaped the commodities of modern civilisation, takes you in a dreamland, time out of mind. A timeless voyage….
Hattingen is located on the south bank of the River Ruhr in the south of the Ruhr region. The town was first mentioned in 1396, when the Duke of Mark granted permission to build a city wall. Today, Hattingen has a picturesque historic district with Fachwerk (timber-framed houses) built between the 14th and 16th centuries. The old city is still partly surrounded by the city walls today.
There are three castles remaining within the municipal area of Hattingen. Castle Isenburg was built in the 12th century in the hillsides above the Ruhr. The castle was destroyed in 1225, but prominent ruins remain. Blankenstein Castle was built in the 13th century above the Ruhr river and Haus Kemnade is a moated castle from the 16th century. All three castles are famous tourist landmarks and open to the public.
Hattingen became part of the Hanseatic League in 1554 and became an important trading town. In 1720, there were 52 operating coal mines within the municipal area and Hattingen became one of the first industrial cities of the Ruhr region. Steel production started in 1853, when the Henrichshütte was founded.
The white house is the most famous building in Hattingen, located in the shopping area of the old city. It built in 1611, and during the daylight, at any time you will pass here; you will see someone taken picture of this house. The painter angle with the leaning tower of St. George’s Church, the Old Town Hall, Kemnde Lake, Gethmann’sche garden, and the Church Square are another places to visit. Wasserburg Kemnade house built in 1663, and this plant is now houses the collection of instrument Grumbt, the east Asian collection and the treasury Kemnade.
The “painters’ corner,” with its picturesque houses and the leaning tower of the St.-Georgs-Kirche (St. George’s Church), is one of Hattingen’s most beautiful sights. The staircase between the closely standing half-timbered houses leads to the churchyard, the centre of the old town.
The church square, with St. George’s Church and its narrow entrances, remains in its medieval ground plan and is probably one of the most beautiful in North-Rhine/Westphalia. The lovingly restored half-timbered houses and old grave stones are worthy of admiration.
The old city hall from 1596 on the Untermarkt (lower market) is likewise one of the most well known motifs of the old town. It contains the city gallery, in which exhibits are displayed and cultural events (cabarets, chamber concerts, readings, lectures) take place (see event calendar).
At the Zollhaus (tollhouse), Hattingen’s smallest house, you can walk a way along the Grabenstraße. The moats previously formed a ring along the city wall and remain partially intact.
The Bügeleisenhaus (Flat Iron House, built in 1611) borrows its name from its unique form and is certainly a very singular half-timbered house. Today it contains the local heritage society museum and is also worth a look inside.
he year 2003 brought Hattingen a new city gate. The artist Voré from Ettlingen fashioned a new entrance, embellished with steel figures, to the Steinhagen square and old town.
“The watchman,” a striking counterpoint to the ambience of the old town. Jan Koblasa’s large statue watches over the area of the previous Heggertor (Hegger gate). Guardian stones were not uncommon at the city entrances during the Middle Ages.
