How long does the Open Walk last?

The tour lasts about 1.5 hours and connects two Manifesta locations in Gelsenkirchen.

Is there a participation fee?

No, the event is free of charge and no ticket is required.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is St. Bonifatius – Ferdane Satır Teegarten, Cranger Straße 338 in Gelsenkirchen.

In which language does the tour take place?

The Open Walk is conducted in German or English.

Is the starting location barrier-free?

Yes, the starting location is wheelchair accessible. However, the toilets are not wheelchair accessible.

What can visitors expect during the tour?

A guided walk through the exhibition sites and their surroundings with a focus on art, architecture, and local history.

Gelsenkirchen discovers Manifesta 16 Ruhr on an open walk with art and history

Name: Manifesta 16 Ruhr: Open Walk (english)
Start: 2026-09-19T13:00:00+02:00
End: 2026-09-19T14:30:00+02:00
Location: St. Bonifatius – Ferdane Satır Teegarten

Explore Gelsenkirchen with Manifesta 16 Ruhr: An Open Walk full of art, history, and urban transformation

The Open Walk in English takes place on September 19, 2026, from St. Bonifatius – Ferdane Satır Teegarten to Thomaskirche – Hava Güleç Living Room, connecting two special locations of Manifesta 16 Ruhr into an inspiring discovery experience. The approximately 1.5-hour city tour opens the view to the creative reuse of former churches, contemporary art, and the history of a district that is constantly reinventing itself.

Between post-war church and urban present

At the starting point St. Bonifatius, religious heritage meets cultural transformation. The former church from 1963 has been re-conceptualized as part of Urban Arts Ruhr and further developed into a vibrant meeting place. This is where the journey through an exhibition begins, which not only showcases art but also connects spaces, neighborhoods, and perspectives.

A walk through Erle with an eye for details

The Open Walk reveals the surroundings of the exhibition sites as part of the overall experience. Gelsenkirchen-Erle represents urban space in transformation, neighborhood culture, and the connection of architecture, memory, and the present. The route makes visible how the Ruhr area has developed from a mining city to a cultural region and how such places gain new social significance.

Thomaskirche as destination and symbol

The Thomaskirche – Hava Güleç Living Room forms the endpoint of the tour. The modern church building from 1965 shapes the surrounding area with its distinctive crystalline form and represents the dialogue between art, urban society, and local history. The Open Walk concludes not only spatially but also thematically: sacred architecture transforms into a place of encounter and cultural enrichment.

Practical, open, and international

Participation is free of charge and takes place in German or English. The tour is designed for a small, personal group atmosphere and is aimed at all who wish to explore Manifesta 16 Ruhr with knowledgeable guidance. The format combines mediation, architectural perception, and contemporary art into a compact cultural program with depth.

Conclusion: Those wishing to experience Gelsenkirchen beyond classic sights will find in the Open Walk a clever, open, and atmospheric offer. Mark the date now and rediscover the Biennale in the urban space.