Essen history

The history of Essen is rooted in the early Middle Ages and is closely linked to the religious and industrial transformations that shaped not only the city but the entire Ruhr region.

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of the city began in the 9th century. Around 845, Saint Altfrid, the future Bishop of Hildesheim, founded a convent (Stift) for noble ladies in this territory. This abbey became the spiritual and administrative core around which a settlement gradually formed. The first documentary mentions of Essen date back to 852. The settlement grew and developed under the patronage of powerful abbesses who determined its destiny for centuries.

Key Factors of Development

The development of Essen was determined by several key factors:

• Political Power of the Abbey: The monastery possessed immense influence and eventually received the status of an Imperial Abbey, answering directly to the Emperor and the Pope. In the 13th century, Essen received city rights, and in 1377 Emperor Charles IV granted it the privileges of a Free Imperial City, although attempts to gain full independence from the authority of the abbesses were suppressed for a long time.
• Trade and Geography: The city was located at the intersection of important trade routes, which contributed to its economic growth.
• Natural Resources: From the 14th to 16th centuries, silver and coal mining began in the region, laying the foundation for the future industrial rise.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Up until the 19th century, Essen was primarily an important spiritual and cultural centre, largely due to the activities of the monastery. The Essen Cathedral Treasury, which houses the famous Golden Madonna, testifies to the wealth and high status of the abbey. In the 16th century, the city became a centre for weapons manufacturing. However, the real transformation occurred with the onset of industrialisation in the 19th century, when, thanks to the activities of the Krupp dynasty and large-scale coal mining, Essen turned into one of Germany's largest industrial giants.

Timeline of Key Events in the History of Essen

From a medieval abbey to a modern cultural and economic hub, the history of Essen reflects the key stages of development of the entire Ruhr region. Below are the most important milestones in the city's centuries-old chronicle.

• c. 845 — Saint Altfrid founds a convent, which became the core of the future city.
• 852 — The settlement is mentioned in official documents for the first time.
• c. 980 — The Golden Madonna is created, one of the oldest sculptures of the Virgin Mary in Western art and the main shrine of the Essen Cathedral.
• 1275 — After a fire, the construction of a new cathedral in the Gothic style begins, and the abbey receives Imperial status.
• 1377 — Emperor Charles IV grants Essen the status and privileges of a Free Imperial City.
• 1563 — The city joins the Reformation, and the main market church becomes Protestant.
• 1811 — Friedrich Krupp founds a cast steel factory, laying the foundation for a future industrial empire.
• 19th century — Essen undergoes rapid industrialisation, turning into the largest centre for coal mining and steel production in Germany.
• 1873 — Construction of Villa Hügel is completed, the luxurious residence of the Krupp family, which became a symbol of their power.
• 1939-1945 — As an important centre of military industry, the city suffers massive destruction during bombing raids in the Second World War.
• 1950s — A structural crisis begins, associated with the gradual decline of the coal and steel industries.
• 1986 — The Zollverein Coal Mine closes, the last active coal mine in Essen, symbolizing the end of the industrial era.
• 2001 — The Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
• 2010 — Essen, on behalf of the entire Ruhr region, holds the title of European Capital of Culture.
• 2017 — The city is awarded the title "European Green Capital" for its success in ecological transformation.

Key Stages of Essen's Development

The history of Essen is a vivid example of transformation reflecting the most important economic and cultural shifts in European history. From a religious centre to an industrial giant and, finally, to a "green" cultural metropolis, the city has traversed a unique path of development.

• Foundation of the Abbey (9th century). The establishment of the convent was the starting point in the city's history. For centuries, the abbey was the spiritual, political, and cultural core around which the settlement formed, eventually gaining city rights.
• Industrial Revolution and the Krupp Dynasty (19th century). The founding of the steel factory by Friedrich Krupp in 1811 was a turning point. Essen rapidly turned into the heart of Germany's industrialisation, becoming the largest centre for coal mining and steel production. This led to colossal population growth and a radical change in the urban landscape.
• Post-War Reconstruction (Mid-20th century). Being a vital centre of military industry, Essen suffered massive destruction during the Second World War. The subsequent reconstruction shaped the modern look of the city centre, where priority was given to transport infrastructure and functional development.
• Structural Crisis and Deindustrialisation (1960s – 1980s). The decline of the coal and steel industries led to a deep economic crisis. The closure of the last coal mine, "Zollverein," in 1986 symbolized the end of the industrial era and forced the city to seek new paths for development.
• Cultural Transformation. Instead of demolition, industrial giants like the "Zollverein" mine were turned into unique cultural spaces. This site was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2001, becoming a symbol of the city's new identity and a powerful tourist magnet.
• European Capital of Culture (2010). This title officially secured Essen's status as a new cultural hub. Representing the entire Ruhr region, the city demonstrated to the world a successful transition from an industrial past to a vibrant cultural present, attracting new investments and tourists.
• European Green Capital (2017). The awarding of this title was a recognition of Essen's outstanding successes in the field of ecology. The city, once considered one of the most polluted in Germany, set an example for the reclamation of industrial zones, the creation of parks, and the improvement of urban environmental quality, completing its transformation into a "green" metropolis.

The architectural appearance of Essen is a visual history of its transformation from a medieval religious centre into an industrial giant and, finally, into a modern cultural and ecological metropolis. Each era has left its mark on the urban landscape, creating a unique combination of styles.

The Middle Ages and Gothic Style

The historical core of the city formed around the Essen Abbey. The main architectural monument of this era is the Essen Cathedral (Essen Minster). Although its history begins earlier, it acquired its modern appearance after a fire in 1275, when it was rebuilt in the Gothic style. Its architecture, more restrained compared to the grandiose cathedrals of Cologne or Reims, reflects regional features and the city's status. Besides the cathedral, fragments of old buildings and other churches remind us of the medieval past, although many were destroyed or rebuilt.

The Era of Industrialisation: Historicism and Industrial Modernism

The Renaissance and Baroque periods left almost no trace in Essen's architecture, as most buildings were lost during rapid industrial growth and the destruction of the Second World War. The real architectural boom occurred in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

• Historicism and Neoclassicism: The brightest symbol of the Krupp dynasty's power was Villa Hügel, built in 1870–1873. This monumental building in the Neoclassical style with 269 rooms served not only as a residence but also as a centre for political and economic decision-making.
• Industrial Architecture and Bauhaus: Essen became a platform for architectural experiments in industrial construction. The pinnacle of this direction is the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Shaft 12, designed by architects Fritz Schupp and Martin Kremmer in 1928-1932, is considered a masterpiece of the "New Objectivity" (Neue Sachlichkeit) style, close to Bauhaus. Its strict geometry, functionality, and monumental steel frame became a model for industrial buildings worldwide.
• Garden City: In response to the rapid growth of industrial districts and poor housing conditions for workers, the garden city movement emerged. In Essen, such an example was the Margarethenhöhe district, founded in 1906 by Margarethe Krupp. Designed by architect Georg Metzendorf, this district with cozy houses, gardens, and winding streets became a model of humane social housing and is still considered one of the most prestigious and picturesque in the city.

Post-War Reconstruction and Modernity

Massive bombing raids in the Second World War destroyed up to 90% of the city centre. The subsequent reconstruction of the 1950s and 60s took place in the spirit of functional modernism, with an emphasis on transport accessibility and modern development. This formed the current appearance of central Essen.

Since the end of the 20th century, the architectural development of the city has been connected with structural restructuring and the rethinking of industrial heritage. Former industrial sites, like Zollverein, have turned into cultural centres, museums, and creative spaces. New architectural landmarks have also appeared, such as the new building of the Museum Folkwang designed by David Chipperfield and the RWE headquarters skyscraper, which reflect modern architectural trends.

Notable People of Essen

The history of Essen is rich with the names of people who made significant contributions to industry, politics, culture, and sports, not only for the city but for all of Germany. Here are some of the key figures associated with Essen:

• Alfred Krupp (1812–1887) — Industrialist and inventor who turned his father's small firm into one of the world's largest steel and engineering conglomerates. His activities defined Essen's industrial development in the 19th century, turning the city into the industrial heart of Germany.
• Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach (1907–1967) — The last sole owner of the Krupp concern, born and died in Essen. After the Second World War, he played a key role in rebuilding the company and also founded the Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach-Stiftung, a foundation that supports science, art, and sports to this day.
• Gustav Heinemann (1899–1976) — A prominent political figure. He was the Lord Mayor of Essen (1946–1949), a Federal Minister, and from 1969 to 1974 served as the third Federal President of West Germany.
• Helmut Rahn (1929–2003) — A legendary footballer born in Essen. Known as "The Boss" (Der Boss), he scored the winning goal in the 1954 World Cup final, which went down in history as the "Miracle of Bern". He played most of his career for the local club Rot-Weiss Essen.
• Heinz Rühmann (1902–1994) — One of the most famous and beloved German actors of the 20th century, born in Essen. Over his long career, he starred in more than 100 films and became an icon of German cinema, especially thanks to his comedic roles.
• Berthold Beitz (1913–2013) — Long-time general plenipotentiary for Alfried Krupp and head of the Krupp Foundation. After Alfried's death, he took over the management of the dynasty's legacy and played a decisive role in the transformation of the concern and support for the city's cultural institutions, such as the Museum Folkwang.
• Jens Lehmann (born 1969) — A famous football goalkeeper born in Essen. He played for clubs such as Schalke 04, Borussia Dortmund, and Arsenal (London), and was also the main goalkeeper for the German national team, with whom he became a World Cup runner-up in 2002.