"Recklinghausen by foot"
A walk around the town centre

1. Townhall
The townhall was built in the style of the German Renaissance and was opened in 1908. The east facade pays tribute to three famous Germans ( from the left side ) the first being Hermann the Cherusker who defeated the Romans, Bonifatius christening Wittukind Duke of  Saxony, Karl the Great who is one of the best known founders of Recklinghausen.
The statue of the goose thief in front of the townhall is a reminder that this was once the way to the town prison.
The town´s green and gold coat of arms is situated above the main doors of the townhall, the key sculpture in the door arches symbolizes the key Petri.   

2. The group sculpture
Heinrich Brockmeier was the sculptor of this sculpture which has the name „ citizens carrying their town“ and together they are carrying St. Peter´s Provest church, a coal transport tower and the townhall. The sculpture and the water fountain were made for the 750th town jubilee in 1986.

3. The tree trunk fountain
The tree trunk fountain was found during excavation work in 1968, it was made from the trunk of an oak tree in the 13th century. 

4. The new synagogue
Nathan schächten designed the new synagogue which was built in 1997 for the Jewish community. The old synagogue was situated near the streets Westerholter Weg and Limpertstraße, the old synagogue was damaged in 1938 and was later completely destroyed.

5. The church at the Petrinum grammar school
The oldest parts of the church have been traced back to 1666,  the classical parts of the church were completed at the beginning of the 19th century. The little Fransiscan church belongs to the Petrinum grammar school today.

6. Visitors´ church
The visitors´ church was a poor house until 1366, this church is the smallest catholic church in Recklinghausen and has 3 alters which is unusual for such a small church. This church is dedicated to the Holy Ghost. This church is still involved with charitable deeds.

7. Engelsburg
The Engelsburg is the most beautiful and profane building in Recklinghausen. The Engelsburg was built in 1701 and is now a renowned Hotel.

8. City walls
Recklinghausen used to be surrounded by a city wall, ramparts and a trench. The city walls had 17 watchtowers altogether and 5 city gates: Kuniberti gate ( Kunibertitor ) Martini gate ( Martinitor ) Loh gate ( Lohtor ) Stein gate ( Steintor ) and the Vieh gate ( Viehtor ). The last remains of the city wall are still standing on the street Herzogswall.

9. Brick sculpture
The Danish schulptor Per Kirkeby produced this sculpture which was inaugurated at the Lohtor in 1996.

10. Lohtor grave yard
The grave yard was opened in 1809 and closed in 1907, the grave yard was reopened in 1999 after being renovated and is now used as a park.

11. City art gallery
This air raid shelter from the second world war was converted into an art gallery in the 1950s and shows pieces from the artists Emil Schumacher, Gerhard Richter, and Konrad Klapheck as well as pieces from other artists.

12. St. Peter´s Provest church
The Catholic church was built in the 13th century at the location of a Carolingian Royal court that was established around the year 800. It became the mother church in the borough
(“Vest”) of Recklinghausen. 

13. Museum of icons
The museum of icons was opened in 1956 and with more than 600 icons, embroideries, miniatures, wood and metal objects it has the most significant collection of Eastern ecclesiastical Arts outside of the orthodox countries. 

14. The old town market
The old town market is the traditional heart of Recklinghausen, where markets, shows,  activities and the administration have always been situated. 3 townhalls have been built here.
Especially worth a mention is the international pole vaulting competition that takes place here every year  

15. The old pharmacy
This building was built during the late barock era and has been owned by the same pharmacist family for over 120 years.

Welcome in the heart of Recklinghausen
The walk around the town will take approximately 1 hour as long as you don´t get distracted by the many shop in the town centre or get enticed into one of our wonderful cafés.
Follow this sign:

Some more facts about Recklinghausen:
Recklinghausen: was a carolingian royal court around the year 800. The freedom of the city was received in the year 1236. Recklinghausen belonged to the archbishopric of Cologne from the 8th century up to the year 1803.

· The first coal mine was commissioned here in 1869
· From the year 1949 the city of Recklinghausen was classed as a large city
· In 1975 Recklinghausen was reintegrated into the district
· Geographical position 7° 10:54 degrees East (Longitude) and 51° 37:30 degrees North (latitude)
· The area for Recklinghausen measures 66,4 square Km and is 75m above sea level
· Recklinghausen has over 50 schools, a college and an academy of justice
· Partner towns: Preston (GB, 1956), Douai (F, 1965), Dordrecht (NL, 1974), Akko (IL, 1978), Schmalkalden/Thüringen (D, 1989), Bytom (PL, 2000).