Hattingen

Hattingen is a city in Ruhr. It is known for its medieval core and abandoned steel mill. It has a population of about 54,000 (2020). The city focuses on tourism, with the former steel works becoming a museum and the historic old town drawing in tourists, but not yet being overrun.

History
Hattingen was first mentioned in 990 as Hatneggen, followed by the founding of the town in 1396. In 1554 the town was recognised by the Hanseatic League, and its location helped the textile trade to flourish. After some run-ins with the French and Swedes, the town continued to grow steadily. Following the establishing of the Henrichshütte steelworks in 1854, Hattingen started booming rapidly. World War II meant massive support for the regime and also becoming an important air raid target. After heavy damage the historic town was rebuild but neglected in the post-war period, though public resistance meant only parts of it were demolished in the 1970s. Despite large protests, increasing competition and a bad location caused the closure of the steelworks from 1987 on, causing the loss of almost 10,000 workers and leaving a massive scar to this day.

The city had managed the transition to service industry better. The historic old town was threatened with demolition in the post-war period, but this was largely prevented, besides the southern part of the core, where a large supermarket now stands. Walking around gives you a good taste of how a typical small German city centre (before bombs and concrete boxes) looked like. Several festivals throughout the year invite locals and visitors alike, with the historic Christmas market from the end of November to Christmas as the highlight, drawing people from near and far.

Geography
Hattingen is a collection of settlements in a hilly area, with the Ruhr River running through the north of it, near the city centre.

The centre of the historic core is St Georg's Church. Heggerstraße is the main shopping street and slowly rises up in elevation from the plateau of Hattingen Mitte as you go north.

In clockwise-order the smaller settlements are:

Neighbouring towns are Bochum, Witten, Sprockhövel, Wuppertal, Velbert and Essen.
 * Welper, a garden suburb featuring a lot of greenery. Originally build for the workers and their families of the nearby steelworks. Stores and eateries can be found along "Marxstraße" and "Thingstraße".
 * Blankenstein, small and formerly an independent town before 1971, it offers Burg Blankenstein, a small core with historic buildings and a great vista over the Ruhr Valley.
 * Holthausen, a suburb developed in multiple stages since the 1960s, not much of touristic worth can be found here, location of rehabilitation clinic.
 * Bredenscheid, small village, lies on cycle path to Wuppertal. Accommodation, two eateries and a 'Sparkasse' ATM can be found here. South of it mostly nature.
 * Niederstüter, small settlements between natural areas, great area for walks and hikes. 'Wodantal' valley is a popular road for motorbikes on weekends.
 * Elfringhausen, basically the same as Niederstüter but to the west, focused along 'Felderbachstraße' road. No public transport lines serve it directly.
 * Niederbonsfeld, private single-family houses between horse stables and fields. No facilities except petrol station on "Kohlenstraße", near the south end of "Tippelstraße"
 * Niederwenigern, more affluent town above the Ruhr Valley, large catholic cathedral and hospital, shops of daily needs along "Essener Straße"
 * Winz-Baak, another 1960s era suburb, mix of single- and multifamily buildings, above Ruhr meadows.
 * Rauendahl, similar to Winz-Baak but with more diverse population. An 'Aldi' market and a couple shops for daily needs can be found at the entry to the neighbourhood.

By plane
The nearest airports are Düsseldorf and Dortmund:


 * Düsseldorf Airport is 40 km away. DUS is the nations fourth-busiest airport, seeing flights ranging from short domestic hops to long haul international flights. From Düsseldorf Airport station near the terminals, there are regional and long distance train services that stop at nearby Essen. From there it's only a short 25 minute S-Bahn local train ride to Hattingen.


 * Dortmund Airport is about 30 km away. Dortmund (DTM) is a typical small european bare bones budget airport, focusing on flights to eastern europe and the balkans, with occasional flights to mediterranean holiday destinations and the UK. From DTM, getting to Hattingen by public transport requires getting to Dortmund station, then to Bochum, from where local buses take 25 minutes to Hattingen.


 * Cologne / Bonn Airport, situated a little further at 60 km away, offers flights throughout Europe, northern Africa and even Iran and Iraq. Traveling by public transport via Düsseldorf takes a little over 2 hours, by car depending on traffic 1-1.5 hours. As Cologne /Bonn (CGN) is an important hub for logistics and military, there's no night flight bans, allowing flights to operate 24 hours.

By train and public transport
Long-distance IC and ICE trains stop at Essen, which is an important hub station in the german rail system, and at Bochum. Essen also sees daily Eurostar service to Brussels and Paris.

From Essen, local S-Bahn trains run by national carrier DB take 22 minutes to Hattingen Mitte, running daily between roughly 05:00-24:00. Hattingen Mitte has a lift, Hattingen (Ruhr) station is on the surface and has platforms accessible without aid.

From Bochum, taking express bus SB37 to Hattingen takes 25 minutes. Tram 308 takes 35 minutes, both cost / trip for adults per 2024 fares. Both use low-floor vehicles.

The bus station serves local and regional buses. See the website of regional transport authority VRR for specific schedules, fares and further information.

Coaches on booked trips will drop you off at the car park next to a large World War II bunker across from Reschop-Carree centre.

By car
Autobahn A43: Exit 21 Witten-Herbede, follow signs Hattingen, keep following main road past Blankenstein, turn off short dual-carriageway, left, at second light (large building straight ahead) left, up the hill and follow signs.

From the south: A43 Exit 22 Sprockhövel, follow signs for Hattingen, park at Reschop-Carre.

Get around


The historic centre is small enough to be explored on foot. People with mobility issues should keep in mind that the pavement in the historic centre can be a little difficult to navigate at certain spots and several alleys are only accessed by stairs.

Low-floor buses and trams serve Hattingen and cost per ride (€2.10 for up to 4 stops) or  to Essen and Bochum per VRR fares in 2024. Most services operate roughly 05:00 to 00:00 during the week. See VER for a plan of the local network.

An information office for local public transport shared between Bogestra and VER is next to the bus station Hattingen Mitte (open M-F 09:30-17:30, Sa 10:00-15:00). Tickets can be bought from the three ticket machines at Hattingen Mitte (at the bus station, the tram 308 platform and in the underground S-Bahn station) that take cash and cards, at the information office, at some select tobacco-lottery-newspaper shops and from bus and tram drivers (preferably with coins and small banknotes).

NE4 nightbuses connect to neighbouring Bochum on Friday, Saturday and holiday nights. The route goes Bochum - Stiepel - city border - Steinenhaus - Blankenstein - Welper - Henrichshütte - Hattingen Mitte (Centre & Station) - Holthausen - city border - Niedersprockhövel - Haßlinghausen - Schwelm

Taxis are available at the stand under the pedestrian bridge at Hattingen Mitte station or to be called. Several small operators exist, fares are €9.50 base including the first 2km plus €2.40 for every additional km.

Cheap parking is available in garages and car parks surrounding the town centre. More parking spots are always free opposite the Henrichshütte steelwork museum, during the christmas market occasionally shuttle buses run, research before. Some residential streets are limited to resident parking only, watch out for signs like Anwohner frei or Bewohner mit Parkausweis 12345 frei to avoid getting ticketed or towed. Coach buses can drop off passengers at Alter ZOB parking, and are assigned parking spots by the city, inquire ahead and phone +49 (0)23242043095
 * Altstadt-Parkhaus, Augustastr., Multistorey car park at north side of the old town centre, access from east via Schulstraße only, uses licence plate scanners to charge you, pay at machine or online with credit card. Day Ticket
 * Reschop-Carre, access via August-Bebel-Straße, two floors on roof of shopping centre, 330 spots, max. height Entry 08:30-21:30, lifts only during centre opening M-Sa 10:00-20:00, exit ramp and staircase open 24/7. Day Ticket
 * Rathaus, plenty of parking around the Rathaus (city hall) on Roonstraße. Bit narrow spots and partially closed during market days. Day Ticket
 * Alter ZOB, August-Bebel-Straße, access no direct access from the large crossing, make U-turn at Augustastr., situated opposite the small shopping centre at the large crossroads, more potholes than pavement but shaded by large trees in summer. also has spots for coach buses. Day Ticket
 * Kaufland, parking on roof on supermarket, access via spiral ramp. EV chargers. and 3 ton limit. M-Sa 06:30-21:30, first hour free.

See
The main attraction of Hattingen is its medieval city centre. Despite wars and post-war neglect you can still experience the stereotypical alleys surrounded by timber-frame houses here. During Christmas season the city is especially charming. The other major attraction is the old blast furnace of the local closed steelworks which has been turned into a museum and mostly left in its original state but also houses exhibitions and an annual meet up for Mercedes fans in summer. Both the city and blast furnace can be experienced on your own or with a tour guide in a couple of hours.

City Centre
The features over 150 historic buildings

Events

 * 5 to 7 April, The Hattingen Spring Festival in the old town, food, drink, live music.
 * 7 April Sunday open for business
 * 26 to 29 April Spring funfair on the town hall square.
 * 31 May - 2 June Hattingen Old Town Festival with live music and gastronomy
 * 2 June Sunday open for business
 * 24-25 August Annual major gathering of and for fans of Mercedes vehicles, including dealer mile and award ceremonies. 2023 over 2000 vehicles from all eras and 13,000 visitors. Next date: 24 - 25 August 2024.
 * 1 June Extraschicht Ruhrgebiet, evening events in museums and at old industrial sites throughout the Ruhr region and also at Henrichshütte
 * From 6 to 9 September the big autumn fair takes place on the Rathausplatz.
 * 3 to 6 October: the autumn market and Panhasfest in the city centre
 * 6 October Sunday open for business
 * 15 December Sunday open for business
 * 15 December Sunday open for business

Buy
Hattingen has plenty of stores, many independent. At the bus and railway station Hattingen Mitte there's a small shopping centre with the usual german chains. A farmers market is open too.

Eat
Most restaurants can be found in the historic centre, surrounded by Martin-Luther-Str / Schulstraße / Augustrastraße and August-Bebel-Straße. Besides that, eateries and restaurants can be found throughout most of the city.

Drink
Not exactly a party destination, but you'll be able to have a drink just alright.

Sleep
Both campsites and regular hotels are available. Don't expect the Plaza Hotel but small local places.

Post service
Hattingen's postal codes are 45525, 45527 and 45529. If in doubt just use 45525, it all goes through the same grumpy post office anyways.

The telephone area code is 02324.

Internet
Public wifi is spotty but available, as alternative the McDonald's (Kreisstr. 29a), west of the centre, offers free wifi. During its opening hours the (open M Tu Th F 10:00-18:00, Sa 10:00-14:00) on the 3rd floor of the Reschop-Carree has wifi and public PCs against a small fee.

Newspaper
The two local and regional papers are Stadtspiegel and WAZ, which won't be of great use if you don't speak german. The former one has birth and death announcements in it.

For international news you'll have to use the internet like normal people or make use of the book store at Essen central station.

Religion

 * DITIB Fatih Moschee (Mosque), Martin-Luther-Straße 24, Tel: +492324919501

Safety

 * , Bredenscheider Str. 54, 24/7 Emergency Room, Busses 330, 332, 558, SB37 Stop "Ev. Krankenhaus" or Bus 359 Stop "Blumenweg"
 * , Nierenhofer Str. 14, open 00:00-24:00, Bus 647 Stop "Bruchstr." or 10 minute walk (at entrance to S-Bahn Hattingen Mitte go left on main road "Nierenhofer Strasse")

Go next

 * Bochum Large university city with the regions prime bar&club area.
 * Essen The Ruhr area's central shopping location, Gruga fair grounds and park, formerly home of world-famous Krupp Steel works.
 * Dortmund The gate to Westphalia, bustling city centre, BVB football club
 * Düsseldorf More posh than the Ruhr Area, large international airport, luxury shopping and strolls along the mighty Rhine
 * Cologne Germany's 4th largest city, entertainment hotspot, fairs and exhibitions, cologne cathedral, very LGBTQ-friendly, founded by Romans.