Grottos and Pretzel Paths: Experience Gelsenkirchen on a Historical Walk

A Time Travel Through Gelsenkirchen's Green Urban History

This historical tour for the Day of Open Monuments combines a city walk, local history, and cultural enrichment into a special discovery experience. The tour leads from the former Kaiser-Wilhelm Garden to the traditional City Garden and makes visible how a green recreational area has become a vibrant memorial site for the city. The City Garden was established as a public park in 1896, opened as Kaiser-Wilhelm Park in 1897, and was later expanded and redesigned several times. ([gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/freizeit/Ausfluege_und_Sehenswuerdigkeiten/Parks_und_Halden/Stadtgarten_Zeppelinallee.aspx))

Traces of Park History and Urban Development

Under the guidance of Hans-Joachim Koenen, known for his historical walks and work with the Gelsenkirchen Heritage Association, the tour reveals the changing history of the park and the urban layers surrounding the old town. The tour makes the development of the City Garden as a recreational area, memorial site, and part of urban identity tangible. The Heritage Association has been offering historical tours for decades and publishes on Gelsenkirchen's history. ([visit.gelsenkirchen.de](https://visit.gelsenkirchen.de/de/Stadtrundfahrten/Gelsenkirchen_entdecken_2025_FINAL.pdf))

Green Oasis with Cultural Value

The City Garden now covers around 22 hectares, including a water area, a Japanese garden in Kare-san-sui style, and a teaching garden about the history of flowering plants. Thus, the walk combines scenic impressions, garden culture, and the conveyance of monuments in a compact space. The City Garden is located near the city center and is one of the defining green spaces of Gelsenkirchen. ([gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/freizeit/Ausfluege_und_Sehenswuerdigkeiten/Parks_und_Halden/Stadtgarten_Zeppelinallee.aspx))

Meeting Point with Clear Orientation

The starting point is at the entrance to the City Garden at the end of Robert-Koch-Strasse, behind the railway underpass. For visitors from the city center, the meeting point is easy to find as it is located directly by the old town and in the vicinity of central routes. The postal code of the location is 45879 Gelsenkirchen. ([gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/_meta/aktuelles/artikel/68435-tag-des-offenen-denkmals-in-gelsenkirchen))

Day of Open Monuments in Gelsenkirchen

The tour is part of the nationwide Day of Open Monuments, which takes place every year on the second Sunday in September and is considered Germany's largest cultural event. In Gelsenkirchen, several monuments open their doors; the tour in the City Garden takes place from 2 PM to 4 PM. The visit is free, donations are welcome. ([gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/_meta/aktuelles/artikel/68435-tag-des-offenen-denkmals-in-gelsenkirchen))

Those who want to not only read about Gelsenkirchen's history but feel it on a lively city walk will find the suitable tour here. Now mark the free date and discover the City Garden with new eyes. ([gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/_meta/aktuelles/artikel/68435-tag-des-offenen-denkmals-in-gelsenkirchen))

Official Channels of the Gelsenkirchen Heritage Association:

• Instagram: no official profile found
• Facebook: no official profile found
• YouTube: no official profile found
• TikTok: no official profile found

Sources:

• City of Gelsenkirchen - Day of Open Monuments in Gelsenkirchen
• City of Gelsenkirchen - City and Tourist Information
• City of Gelsenkirchen - City Garden Zeppelinallee
• Discover Gelsenkirchen 2026 - PDF of the City Tours
• City of Gelsenkirchen - The City Garden Gelsenkirchen
• LWL - Gelsenkirchen City Garden