Bochum looks different from a bird's eye view, but the ball stays grounded on the real streets of the city. This full round of 18 holes follows a map of the actual city, using landmarks like the Vonovia Ruhrstadion to form the cups. Skip knows every corner of these neighborhoods and is the local guide. The walk covers 11.6 km and uses 22 portals to move the ball across town.
You might expect a quiet monument or a gallery, but you have found the Vonovia Ruhrstadion. It is an association football venue and the home ground for the VfL Bochum. This stadium in Bochum, Germany, was started in 1911 and has a capacity of 27,599. From 2006 to 2016, the venue was known as rewirpowerSTADION. I've seen plenty of excited fans gather here on match days, and the atmosphere is always something to notice if you are passing through the city.
You will first notice the exhibits dedicated to how we connect with one another. This is the Telekom-Historik - Museum, a museum that focuses on the history of telecommunications. I think you will find the evolution of the technology quite interesting as you walk through.
You might expect a railway depot given the theme, but this is actually the Starlight-Express-Theater Bochum. It is a musical theater building that brings a high-energy production to the city of Bochum. If you look up at the architecture, you can see the structure reaches a height of 20 meters. I've seen plenty of things fly past this place, though usually they have feathers instead of wheels. It is a great spot to pause and appreciate the scale of the venue before you move on to your next destination in the city.
Standing 33 meters tall, the Bismarckturm is a prominent landmark in Bochum. It is an instance of a Bismarck tower, a specific style of monument found across the region. Because of its design and history, it is officially recognized as an architectural heritage monument in North Rhine-Westphalia. I always find it a useful point of orientation when I am gliding through this part of the city, as its height makes it easy to pick out from a distance. It is a great spot for any visitor to stop and appreciate the local heritage.
Look up at the dome to see the stars. This is the Zeiss Planetarium Bochum, a planetarium located in the city. It is a place where you can observe the cosmos and learn about the night sky. I've noticed that the ceiling makes for a great spot to just stare and wonder.
You will first notice the presence of Kunstmuseum Bochum, which is a museum located here in the city. It is a place for visitors to engage with art and culture. This institution was founded in 1960. I find it is a great spot to take a break from the bustle of the streets and look at something different. It is one of those landmarks that helps define the local area for anyone passing through the district for the first time.
You will first notice the massive scale of the Deutsches Bergbau-Museum in Bochum. It is the largest mining museum in the world, making it a primary destination for those interested in the industry. Beyond the public exhibits, the site is a research establishment for mining history. It has been in operation since 1930 and continues to draw large crowds, with around 365,700 visitors per year in 2012. I've seen plenty of crumbs dropped by tourists here, so it's definitely a busy spot.
This is not a secular building or a modern office, but a church building. Sankt-Joseph-Kirche is an architectural heritage monument in North Rhine-Westphalia, which means it is protected for its historical and structural value. Hermann Wielers is the architect of this place of worship. Visitors can observe the specific design choices made by Wielers that contributed to its status as a heritage monument in the region. It is a significant site for those interested in the religious and architectural history of the city.
Look for the entrance of the ROTTSTR 5 Theater, a theatre building located in Bochum. This spot is more than just a venue, as it also functions as a theatre company. It had its inception in 2009 and is situated within the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Whether you are a fan of the stage or just passing through, this is a key spot for the performing arts in the region. I have noticed the area around here often has a great energy that makes it a pleasant place to spend an afternoon.
Located within the city of Bochum, Pauluskirche is a church building. The site is recognized as an architectural heritage monument in North Rhine-Westphalia. Because of this designation, the building is preserved as a significant example of regional architecture and historical construction. Visitors to the city can find the church as a point of interest that represents the protected heritage of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, offering a look at the area's structural history through its status as a monument.
You will first notice the entrance area situated in the middle of the Anneliese Brost Musikforum Ruhr. This music hall for classical music opened on 28 October 2016 in Bochum, Germany. Bez+Kock Architekten served as the architect for the project. Inside, the building is split between two distinct spaces: a big hall designed for symphonic concerts and a smaller hall designed for chamber music. It is a polished spot for a show, though I find the acoustics much better than the echoes I get under the city bridges.
Christuskirche is a church building designed in the style of brutalist architecture. This place of worship is known for the raw, geometric characteristics of its design. The building was created by a team of architects, including August Hartel, Dieter Oesterlen, and Heinrich Schmiedeknecht. Visitors can observe how the brutalist style defines the presence of this church within the city of Bochum, emphasizing the structural materials used in its construction.
St. Peter und Paul is a church building. It was designed by the architect Hermann Wielers and is built in the Gothic Revival style. Because of its design and historical value, the building is designated as an architectural heritage monument in North Rhine-Westphalia. Visitors to the area can observe the specific characteristics of the Gothic Revival influence in the building's exterior and overall composition.
Look closely at the pointed arches and intricate stonework of the Gothic Revival style. These details define the appearance of Lutherkirche, a church building in Bochum. Beyond its visual appeal, the site is an architectural heritage monument in North Rhine-Westphalia. This official status means the building is protected and recognized for its contribution to the architectural history of the region. It remains a significant landmark for those visiting the city.
You will first notice the open green spaces and quiet atmosphere of Kortumpark. This location is a park and a cemetery, providing a dedicated area for the city of Bochum to find peace. It is a place where the natural environment and the purpose of a burial ground coexist, allowing visitors to walk through the grounds in a respectful setting. Whether you are visiting a specific site or simply walking through the greenery, the grounds are maintained as a place of remembrance for all who enter.
Located on Königsallee in North Rhine-Westphalia, the Schauspielhaus Bochum is a theatre company. It is one of the notable drama theatres in Germany, providing a space for high-profile stage productions in the city of Bochum. You can find the work of Eric de Vroedt here, as he is an established guest director for the company. I've always found the energy around the building quite lively when a show is about to start, and it is a great place to see how the city embraces the performing arts. Let me show you the way to the entrance.
Bergmannsheil is a tertiary teaching hospital located in Bochum. It is a hospital of the Ruhr-University Bochum and part of the University Hospitals of the Ruhr-University of Bochum. This institution had its inception in 1888 and was formerly known as Bergbau-Berufsgenossenschaftliche Krankenanstalten Bergmannsheil. It is an academic department as well as a hospital. I have often seen students and professionals moving quickly through this area, which makes sense given the scale of the teaching operations happening inside. It is a place where the city's medical history and current academic goals meet in one location.
Löwendenkmal is a sculpture located here in the city. For those interested in the local history of the region, this site is an architectural heritage monument in North Rhine-Westphalia. It stands as a point of interest for visitors and locals alike who want to see the preserved monuments of the area. I find it is a great spot to take a breath and look around at the surrounding streets before you move on to your next destination.
This is not a bustling city center or a shopping district. Instead, let me show you Wiesental, which is a park. It provides a different pace for those visiting the area. I find it is a nice spot to stretch your wings.