Bochum famous is mining
Until the late 1950s coal mining was the city’s economic mainstay; its importance is shown by the mining college, the geologic and mining museums, the mining research institute, and the headquarters building of the miners’ trade union, insurance, and cooperative organizations.
German Mining Museum
The German Mining Museum is a must-see when visiting the city of Bochum. It offers a true underground experience. The rope simulator gives you the feeling of driving into the ground to a depth of 1,200 meters. Realistic underground temperatures await you at the bottom. Then you can cool off at a dizzying 71 meters high on the museum’s winding tower, with spectacular views of the Bochum skyline. The exhibition area of the interactive Mining Museum covers approximately 13,000 square meters and even includes a reconstructed mine with realistic tunnels.
LWL Industrial Museum Zollern
The LWL-Industriemuseum Zeche Zollern (LWL Industrial Museum Zeche Zollern in Dortmund ) captures the stories of women and men who have been “struggling” underground in the mine for years. The depiction of the social and cultural history of mining in the Ruhr area shows the lives of workmen and features authentic museum pieces.
The Zeche Zollern in Dortmund is one of eight museum sites of the decentralised LWL Industrial Museum. In its permanent exhibition, it shows products of Germany’s industrial past. Here, the visitors are given information on the history of the mine, the workers and the dangers.
Bochum Dahlhausen Railway Museum
The Bochum Dahlhausen Railway Museum is open to the public so that everyone can enjoy the steam wonders of this historic railway. Inside the museum there is a space intended for the exhibition of 14 historic wagons and locomotives. Guided tours take place regularly within the museum.
The Railway Museum Bochum-Dahlhausen is the largest private railway collection in Germany. It is maintained and enlarged chiefly by volunteers. This attraction is suitable for people of all ages.
Anneliese Brost Musikforum Ruhr
The Anneliese Brost Musikforum Ruhr is a music hall for classical music. The building consists of three parts: an auditorium holding up to 1026 people, the entrance area in the middle (which is in the desacralized church of St. Marien), and a second hall which holds an audience of up to 250 people. The big hall is designed for symphonic concerts, the smaller one for chamber music. The hall is the home location of the Bochumer Symphoniker orchestra. The decision to build the Anneliese Brost Musikforum Ruhr was made with considerable backing from the American composer, Steven Sloane.
Planetarium Bochum
State-of-the-art technology allows anyone to take a trip to outer space.
The view of the clear sky is breath-taking. The Big Dipper sparkles over the heads of the stargazers. At the edge of the dome, a giant asteroid soars by; a space station can be seen there too. One of the most modern projection systems in the world shows distant stars and planets. They shine brightly in the artificial darkness of the Bochum Planetarium.
260 seats offer space for extended journeys to the stars. The Universarium IX projector simulates flights into outer space from any place on earth. Not even time plays a role in the starting point of the flight. The expedition begins when the new space pilot is ready.
Bochum Zoo + Fossilium
In the middle of Bochum City Park is the Bochum Zoo and Fossilium. Around 350 different animal species currently live in the zoo’s outdoor areas, enclosures and houses. The approximately 2,200 square meter facility is home to a 565,000 liter seal tank, which allows fascinating underwater views of the animals in crystal clear water, a walk-in wading bird aviary with waves and a dune landscape with beach chairs. The highlight of the aquarium house is the 170,000 liter coral reef tank. Two blacktip reef sharks, countless tropical fish, starfish and of course corals live in this coral reef biotope. Exotic birds and reptiles are just as impressive as the tiny pygmy marmosets and their offspring.
Entertiment
The city center – offers a mix of options, from traditional German pubs to modern cocktail bars. Here you’ll find a good balance of casual and upscale establishments. This area is ideal for those who want easy access to multiple venues in one concentrated area.
Uni-Vibes – Near the University of Bochum, you’ll find a more youthful, student-centric nightlife. Expect a lively atmosphere with more affordable prices and a wide range of music genres. This is perfect for a budget-friendly night out.
