Bochum, Industrial urban center in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
Bochum sits between the rivers Ruhr and Emscher, showing a mix of modern architecture and industrial buildings across its districts. The center combines shopping streets with parks and former industrial sites now serving cultural or commercial purposes.
The settlement received town privileges in 1321 from Count Engelbert II von der Marck and transformed from a small agricultural town into an industrial center. Coal mining shaped its development from the 19th century until the last mine closed in the 1970s.
The German Mining Museum presents the complete history of coal extraction through exhibits, while the Schauspielhaus theater offers regular performances throughout the year.
The central station connects to major cities in the Rhine-Ruhr region through regular train services, with local transportation including buses and trams. The downtown area can be explored on foot, while parks and museums are spread across the city.
The Starlight Express theater houses the longest-running musical production in Germany, performing continuously in the same venue since 1988. Performers move on roller skates throughout the entire show, using special ramps and skating through the audience.
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