Recklinghausen facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Recklinghausen
City hall
Flag Coat of arms
Country	Germany
State	North Rhine-Westphalia
Admin. region	Münster
District	Recklinghausen
Elevation	85 m (279 ft)
Population  (2022-12-31)
• Total	111,734
Time zone	CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Postal codes	45601–45665
Dialling codes	02361
Vehicle registration	RE
Website	www.recklinghausen.de

Recklinghausen is a city in Germany, located in the northern part of the Ruhr-Area. It is the main city of the Recklinghausen district. The city has a mix of landscapes. To the north, you'll find large fields and farms, typical of the Münsterland region. To the south, there's more industry. Recklinghausen is one of the larger cities in Germany and in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

History of Recklinghausen

Early Beginnings

Recklinghausen was first mentioned in official records in the year 1017. Back then, it was called Ricoldinchuson. By 1150, it had become an important center for the surrounding area, known as the Vest Recklinghausen. The city was granted special town privileges in 1236. This meant it had certain rights and freedoms, like holding markets.

Changing Hands and Challenges

Over the years, especially in the 15th and 16th centuries, ownership of Recklinghausen changed several times. In 1576, the entire region was given to the Electorate of Cologne as a form of payment. The city faced tough times during the Cologne War (1582–1587). It was plundered multiple times by different armies fighting over religious and political power.

A Difficult Period

Recklinghausen also went through a sad period in its history. Between 1514 and 1710, over 100 witchcraft trials took place here. People were accused of witchcraft, and these trials were most common around 1580-81 and again in 1588-89.

Modern Times

Around 1600, the administration of the Vest Recklinghausen was split into two parts. Recklinghausen managed the eastern part, which included several nearby towns and parishes. In the early 1800s, Recklinghausen became the capital of a small, independent area ruled by the Dukes of Arenberg. Later, around 1815, it became the main town of a larger administrative area called a Bürgermeisterei.

During World War II, Recklinghausen was affected by the war. It was a target for bombings because of its oil production. American forces captured the southern part of the city in April 1945.

Main Sights to See

Recklinghausen has some interesting places to visit.

The Icon Museum of Recklinghausen

Icon Museum

One of the most famous places is the Icon Museum. This museum is home to over 1,000 Orthodox artworks, called icons. These beautiful pieces come from countries like Russia, Greece, and the Balkan countries. There are also very old Coptic Christian art pieces from Egypt. It's the largest icon museum outside of the Orthodox world! It first opened in 1956 and was renovated in 2006 for its 50th anniversary.

Ruhr Festival Theatre

The Ruhrfestspielhaus is a special theatre in Recklinghausen. It was remodeled in 2001 and even won a German Architecture Award for its design. Inside, you can find "Die Liegende Nr 5," a famous sculpture by the artist Henry Moore.

Public Art

Near the Lohtor, which is a gate, you can see a large sculpture made from more than 30,000 bricks. This impressive artwork was created by the artist Per Kirkeby. It stands in front of a memorial for those who lost their lives in World War I.

Annual Events

Ruhr Festival

Recklinghausen is famous for hosting the annual Ruhrfestspiele, also known as the Ruhr Festival. This is a big cultural festival that is known all over the world. Every year, starting on May 1st, there's a fantastic program filled with many national and international theatre shows. In 2008, famous actors like Kevin Spacey and Jeff Goldblum even performed in a play called Speed the Plow as part of the festival. While the main shows happen at the Ruhrfestspielhaus, other theatres in and around Recklinghausen also take part.

Transport in Recklinghausen

Recklinghausen is well-connected, making it easy to travel to and from the city.

Motorways

Two major motorways, the A2 and the A43, cross through the city area. These highways help people travel quickly by car.

Waterways

The city is also connected to larger waterways by the Rhein-Herne-Kanal. This canal allows boats to transport goods.

Train Stations

Recklinghausen has two train stations:

• The Central Station (Recklinghausen Hauptbahnhof) is a major stop for long-distance trains like Intercity and EuroCity services.
• The South Station (Recklinghausen Südbahnhof) serves local train lines.

There are also two Rhine-Ruhr S-Bahn lines that connect Recklinghausen to other cities:

• Line S 2 goes to Dortmund, passing through Herne and Castrop-Rauxel.
• Line S 9 goes to Hagen, going through Gladbeck, Bottrop, Essen, Velbert, and Wuppertal.

Twin Towns – Sister Cities

Twin towns or sister cities are cities in different countries that form a special bond to promote cultural and commercial ties. Recklinghausen is twinned with:

Notable People from Recklinghausen

Many interesting people have come from Recklinghausen, including actors, musicians, athletes, and politicians. Here are a few:

Mayors of Recklinghausen

The mayor is the head of the city government. Here are some of the people who have served as mayor of Recklinghausen:

Images for kids

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  Central market

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  Lohtor Square with Saint Peter's Church and sculpture by Per Kirkeby

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  Former hospital in Westviertel

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  Half-timber houses in the city

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  The "Palais Vest" shopping mall

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  City wall from the Middle Ages

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  Seventeenth-century Recklinghausen

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  Official logo of Recklinghausen

See also

In Spanish: Recklinghausen para niños