ESSEN - 9 HOLES - FREE

ESSEN
CITY MAP MINIGOLF

Essen - 9 stops - par 28

Essen looks different from a ledge, but the ball stays grounded on the real streets. This quick round of 9 holes uses actual attractions like the Aalto-Theater to form the course. Skip knows every corner of the city and guides the way across 6.2 km of pavement, using 46 portals to bridge the gaps between the distant parts of the map.

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HOW IT WORKS

01

Pick a city

The course is drawn on the real street grid, so the map you play is the map you walk.

02

Putt to the pin

Drag to aim, release to swing. Buildings bounce and water costs you a stroke.

03

Sightsee between strokes

Every hole ends at an attraction. Sink the putt, read the story, walk to the next tee.

THE ESSEN ROUND - STOP BY STOP

HOLE 1 - PAR 3

Aalto-Theater

The Aalto-Theater opened on 25 September 1988. This opera house in Essen, Germany, was designed by architect Alvar Aalto and has since become a central performing arts venue for the city. Inside, you can find a variety of world-class performances because the building is home to both the Aalto-Musiktheater opera company and the Aalto Ballett. To complete the experience, the Essener Philharmoniker serve as the venue's orchestra. Whether you are here for the music or the dance, the building is a great spot to see how modern architecture supports the arts. I've seen plenty of people stop to admire the lines of the building before heading inside for a show.

Wikidata · Wikipedia

HOLE 3 - PAR 2

Philharmonie/ Saalbau

Located in the heart of the city, the Philharmonie/ Saalbau is a concert hall and an architectural heritage monument in North Rhine-Westphalia. This venue has a long history of resilience and renewal. While the original building was completed in 1902, it was destroyed during World War II on 26 July 1943. The city brought the venue back between 1949 and 1954, ensuring that Essen maintained a dedicated space for musical performance. To keep the facility modern for today's audiences, the hall underwent a complete renovation in 2003 and 2004. I've noticed that the acoustics here really make the most of the space, making it a highlight for any visitor interested in the local arts scene.

Wikidata · Wikipedia

HOLE 4 - PAR 4

Erlöserkirche

Located in the heart of Essen, Erlöserkirche is a church building that stands as a prominent part of the city's skyline. This site is built in the Romanesque Revival architecture style, which is characterized by its heavy masonry and rounded arches. It is recognized as an architectural heritage monument in North Rhine-Westphalia, preserving a specific era of design for all who pass by. The architect of Erlöserkirche was Franz Schwechten, who brought this particular vision to the city. Whether you are visiting for the history or simply passing through the neighborhood, the building's exterior provides a clear example of the Romanesque influence on later church construction. It is a place of significance that reflects the architectural traditions of the region and the specific goals of its designer.

Wikidata

HOLE 5 - PAR 4

St. Mariä Empfängnis

St. Mariä Empfängnis is a church building located in Essen. This site is an important destination for those interested in the religious and architectural history of the city. When you visit, you can observe the specific design choices and structural elements that define the building. The architect of St. Mariä Empfängnis was Josef Seché, whose work is central to the identity of the structure. This building remains a significant point of reference in the local urban environment, offering a clear example of Seché's professional approach to church architecture. It is a place where visitors can reflect on the intersection of faith and design within the city's layout. The building's presence in the neighborhood provides a sense of continuity and architectural purpose that is evident to anyone walking past the facade.

Wikidata

HOLE 6 - PAR 3

St. Ludgerus und Martin

St. Ludgerus und Martin is a filial church located in the city of Essen. This building is dedicated to religious practice and provides a space for the community to gather for worship. As you move through the city, this church stands as a place for spiritual reflection and prayer. It is an established part of the local religious landscape, offering a quiet environment for those who visit the area or attend services. Whether you are passing by on your way to another destination or stopping specifically to see the site, the church remains a central point for the filial congregation. Its role in the city is to support the spiritual needs of the neighborhood, maintaining a tradition of faith and community service for all who enter its doors.

Wikidata

HOLE 7 - PAR 3

Florentiner Mann

Let me show you the Florentiner Mann. This site is a sculpture garden, offering a dedicated space for art to exist in the open air. When you visit, you can walk through the grounds and observe how the sculptures interact with the surrounding environment. It is a spot where the city's layout allows for a bit of artistic reflection. I find it a pleasant place to pause during a walk through Essen.

Wikidata

HOLE 8 - PAR 3

Botanischer Garten der Universität Duisburg-Essen

You will first notice that you cannot enter the Botanischer Garten der Universität Duisburg-Essen, as the garden is not open to the public. This botanical garden is located in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, and covers 4,100 square metres. It is currently located at Kühlshammerweg 30, though it was formerly located at Henri-Dunant-Strasse 65. Because it is maintained on the Essen campus of the University of Duisburg-Essen, the space is dedicated to research and educational uses. I often see the University staff tending to the plants from the air, making it a very orderly sight. It is a quiet spot tucked away next to the Grugapark area, providing a contrast to the more accessible public spaces nearby. If you look closely at the perimeter, you can see the variety of species they keep for their studies.

Wikidata · Wikipedia

HOLE 9 - PAR 3

Margarethenhöhe

Located within the city of Essen, let me show you Margarethenhöhe. This area is a quarter that is also an architectural heritage monument in North Rhine-Westphalia. When you visit, you can pick out the specific design details and preserved structures that earned it this protected status. It is a place where the layout of the streets provides a glimpse into a specific vision of urban living from the past. I find the open spaces here quite pleasant for a stroll, though you have to keep an eye out for other birds who think they own the sidewalks. Whether you are here for the architecture or just passing through on your way to another part of the city, this quarter offers a distinct atmosphere compared to the surrounding urban environment of Essen.

Wikidata

STOP 10

Halbachhammer

Let me show you the Halbachhammer. This site is a timber-framed house that holds a special place in the local landscape. Because of its specific construction and historical value, it is designated as an architectural heritage monument in North Rhine-Westphalia. When you look at the building, you can pick out the traditional wooden beams that define the structure and give it its distinct character. I always find the textures of these old timber frames quite interesting to look at from the air, especially since they stand out against the more modern surroundings of the city. It is a great example of how the region maintains its physical history through these protected monuments, allowing visitors to see exactly how these houses were built long ago. Take a moment to appreciate the craftsmanship involved in the timber framing before you move on to the next part of your journey.

Wikidata

OTHER COURSES

9 HOLES - PAR 33

Hamm

9 stops

This quick nine-hole round covers 7.4 km across Hamm. The map is the real city and the ball rolls along its actual streets, using portals to skip between districts. Local attractions like Schloss Heessen are the foundations for the holes. Skip knows every curb and cobblestone here, even if a few crumbs usually distract the guide.

18 HOLES - PAR 53

Kassel

18 stops

Kassel is the setting for this round, where the map follows the actual city and the ball rolls across its real streets. The holes are built from the city's actual attractions, ending at the Spitzhacke. Skip knows these sidewalks well and is the local guide. This is a full round of 18 holes with a par of 53, covering a walk of 9.7 km. The ball moves between distant districts using 12 portals.

9 HOLES - PAR 31

Hagen

9 stops

The ball ends its journey at the Stadtgarten. This course uses the real streets of Hagen as the map, with the city's actual attractions forming the holes. A quick round of 9 holes covers 7.6 km, using 8 portals to bridge the gaps between distant districts. Skip knows every curb and cobblestone here, having spent plenty of time watching the world go by from the eaves.

9 HOLES - PAR 29

Oberhausen

9 stops

Banking a ball off the stone of Schloss Broich requires a steady wing and a soft touch. This round takes place on the real streets of Oberhausen, where the city map is the course. The holes are built from actual local attractions, and Skip knows every crack in the pavement. A quick 9-hole round covers 6 km, with 14 portals to keep the ball moving.

18 HOLES - PAR 57

Delsberg

18 stops

Banking a ball off the stone facades of the Roter Turm requires a steady wing and a bit of luck. This round takes place in Delsberg, where the map is the real city and the game is played on its actual streets. The holes are built from real attractions, turning the urban layout into a course. I know these sidewalks well and can be the local guide. It is a full round of 18 holes with a par of 57, covering a 12.1 km walk that uses 10 portals.

FAQ

Is it free to play?

Yes. Every course runs in the browser with no account and no install.

Do I need to be in the city?

No. The full round plays from anywhere. Walking the real route is a nice way to see the city, but it is not required.

Are the maps real?

Yes. The geometry comes from OpenStreetMap data, rendered chunky on purpose. Streets, water and parks sit where they really are.