Gelsenkirchen - the name of this city has a good ring to it throughout the world of soccer, because Gelsenkirchen-Schalke is the home of the traditional football club Schalke 04. The "Royal Blues" won the UEFA Cup in 1997 and since then have been in the spotlight internationally too. In the middle of 2001, the club opened its new stadium, the "Arena Auf Schalke". This is not only a venue for soccer matches, the impressive new building is also a huge entertainment centre for staging operas, concerts and sports events of all kinds.
A guided tour of the Arena will not only delight the football fans - though, of course, they will be deeply impressed when they have a chance to shake hands with the pros during their open training sessions. The city in the heart of the Ruhr has plenty more to offer as well, though. Horst Castle for instance, in the district of Horst. Skilful renovation has turned this 16th century Renaissance building into a true architectural gem. And finally, the city on the Rhine Herne Canal also houses one of the world's largest model train installations, whose tracks and landscapes cover an area of 700 square metres.
Stadtmarketing / tourist information Gelsenkirchen
Bahnhofstraue 55-65
45879 Gelsenkirchen
+49 (0) 209-951971
+49 (0) 209-9519710
Additional sources of information:
Furderverein Schloss Horst / Castle Horst
Turfstraue 21
45899 Gelsenkirchen-Horst
+49 (0) 209-516622
+49 (0) 0209-513804
Der Deutschland-Express
Am Bugapark 1c
45899 Gelsenkirchen
+49 (0) 209-5083660
+49 (0) 209-5083661
FC Schalke 04 Stadiongesellschaft / Stadium Society
Kurt-Schumacher-Straue 284a
45891 Gelsenkirchen
+49 (0) 209-3618-0
+49 (0) 209-3618-109
Hotel Maritim Gelsenkirchen
Am Stadtgarten 1
45979 Gelsenkirchen
+49 (0) 209-176-0
+49 (0) 209-176-2091