Discover Castrop-Rauxel: Culture, Architecture and Cycling Routes

Castrop-Rauxel combines reminders of its mining past with buildings from different eras, a theatre and opportunities for outdoor activities. When planning a trip, the first question is simple: would you mainly like to explore architecture and culture, or spend time cycling and outdoors? The city offers specific places and activities for both interests. Which ones matter to you during your stay can also help guide your search for a suitable hotel.

Cultural History and Architecture

At Ickerner Knoten, a statue of a miner, a winding wheel and the nitrogen column document Castrop-Rauxel’s mining past. These three elements bring the history of mining into focus in different forms: as a figure, a piece of technical equipment and a column. Schloss Baldenhorst offers a different historical perspective: the moated castle dates from the 16th century, is privately owned and can be viewed from the outside. At the Henrichenburg Landscape Archaeology Park, the castle’s walls, buildings and towers are recreated at the historic site. A 16th-century building and a castle reconstruction at its historic location thus offer different ways of encountering the past.

Architecture also draws attention to specific forms and periods of design. St. Anthony’s Church in Ickern has a parabolic shape; Alfred Fischer designed it between 1922 and 1925. The Art Nouveau houses on Altstadtmarkt feature individually varied natural-stone façades. The façades date from around 1912 and are considered a unique example of their kind in Westphalia. Looking at these buildings reveals distinct architectural expressions—from a clearly defined geometric form to façades with varied designs.

Theatre and Venues

The Westphalian State Theatre has been based in Castrop-Rauxel since 1946. The Forum Castrop-Rauxel was built to designs by Arne Jacobsen and Otto Weitling and officially opened in 1976. These dates mark different milestones: the theatre’s long-standing home in the city and the opening of the forum designed by two architects. There are also venues with histories of their own. The former Parkbad Süd outdoor swimming pool is now used as an event venue and small cabaret stage; its programme may vary. If you plan to attend an event there, check the schedule. Haus Goldschmieding is open to the public as a castle restaurant and is located in a sculpture park.

Cycling Routes and Countryside

Six signposted cycling routes run through Castrop-Rauxel, leading to sights, lively squares and quieter corners. The Grüne Acht is one specific option: it passes through forests to the Rhine-Herne Canal, then continues across fields and the Castroper hills, with industrial heritage along the way. This loop combines views of the countryside with a glimpse of the industrial past, while the six signposted routes as a whole lead to a variety of destinations and corners of the city.

The “Sprung über die Emscher” (Jump over the Emscher) enables cyclists and walkers to cross the Emscher and Rhine-Herne Canal at the water junction. At the same time, this route connects the Castrop-Rauxel districts of Henrichenburg and Habinghorst with Recklinghausen. Emscherland lies on the boundary between Castrop-Rauxel and Recklinghausen and offers opportunities for hiking, cycling, spending time outdoors and learning in a blue-green landscape. There is also a play, sports and exercise park by the indoor swimming pool. This gives you a choice of cultural and architectural attractions as well as cycling and outdoor activities when planning your trip.

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