For 200 years, the Ruhr river was the perfect example of an industrial waterway. Trains of barges carried coal and iron ore up and down it, and the wastewater from the plants and factories drained down it to the sea. Over the last few decades, heavy industry has withdrawn from large parts of Europe's largest economic region, and the Ruhr has been transformed too: from the name-giver of the industrial Ruhr region, to a recreational area for local inhabitants and a venue for water sports.
The best place to begin a journey into the Ruhr valley is Muhlheim, because this is as far as the barges from the Rhine travel up the Ruhr. From here onwards, the river belongs to the pleasure steamers of the "White Fleet". The "Aquarius Water Museum" tells you all about water, its supply and distribution. And to get a truly unusual view of the beautiful Ruhr valley and of Muhlheim's surrounding countryside you can board an airship and take to the skies.
Tourist Information Mulheim
Schloustraue 11
45468 Mulheim an der Ruhr
+49 (0) 208-9609611
+49 (0) 208-9609619
Additional sources of information:
Weiue Flotte Mulheim / Ruhr River Tours
Duisburger Straue 78 45479 Mulheim an der Ruhr +49 (0) 208-4511913
Wassermuseum
Burgstraue 70 45476 Mulheim an der Ruhr +49 (0) 208-4433390 +49 (0) 208-4433391
WDL Luftschiffgesellschaft
Flughafen 45470 Mulheim an der Ruhr +49 (0) 208-3780816
Hotel Noy
Schloustraue 28-30
45468 Mulheim an der Ruhr
+49 (0) 208-45050
+49 (0) 208-4505300