Beckhausen: Church, trails and mining history

Beckhausen combines church architecture, a cycling and hiking trail along the Emscher, and several connections to mining history. If you are looking for a hotel in Beckhausen, these themes can help you choose your destination: Liebfrauen Church is known for its striking ecclesiastical architecture, the HUGO-Bahn is a route through the district, and around Beckhausen, Rungenberg spoil tip has trails and a light installation, while a small museum at its foot explores the mining traditions of the Hugo colliery district. The wider destination of Gelsenkirchen offers a different focus with ZOOM Erlebniswelt and its themed worlds of Alaska, Africa and Asia; Horst Castle in Gelsenkirchen is one of Westphalia’s significant Renaissance castles. The wider destination of Gelsenkirchen offers a different focus with ZOOM Erlebniswelt and its themed worlds of Alaska, Africa and Asia; Horst Castle is one of Westphalia’s significant Renaissance castles.

Liebfrauen Church: architecture and history

The Catholic Liebfrauen Church and the Liebfrauengemeinde in Beckhausen were founded in 1900. The church was consecrated in 1911 and dedicated to “Our Lady of Perpetual Help.” It was designed as a Romanesque Revival basilica with a floor plan in the shape of a Latin cross. “Polygonal” describes the many-sided shape of its apse; two towers face Neustadtplatz. These features distinguish the church’s style, floor plan, apse shape and tower orientation. Its founding and subsequent consecration also mark two distinct milestones in its history.

On the HUGO-Bahn

The HUGO-Bahn is a five-kilometre cycling and hiking trail. It runs from Adenauer Allee, along the right-hand side of the Emscher, through Beckhausen to the Schüngelberg housing estate at the foot of Rungenberg spoil tip. This identifies the starting point, the riverside route and the destination. The route is described as a cycling and hiking trail, so it can be explored on foot or by bike. A blue-and-white signal keeper’s house along the HUGO-Bahn on Horster Straße is also worth seeing. It is a specific point of interest along the way and adds an architectural detail to the route.

Rungenberg spoil tip and mining history

Around Beckhausen, Rungenberg spoil tip can be reached via numerous winding trails from the Schüngelberg housing estate or Horster Straße. The “Nachtzeichen” light installation crowns the spoil tip’s southeastern summit. These named access points and the summit installation provide different landmarks for a visit to the area around the spoil tip.

At the foot of the spoil tip, the small museum preserves the mining traditions of the Hugo colliery district. Its exhibits cover work underground, life in the miners’ housing estate, and the shared history of mining and football. The exhibition therefore explores both working life and everyday life in the estate, as well as the distinctive connection between football and this history.

Eating in Beckhausen

Hof Holz in Gelsenkirchen-Beckhausen serves homemade cakes, a generous breakfast buffet and traditional country cooking. As dining options can change, check the current offerings before your visit.

For the wider travel overview: Gelsenkirchen.