The Ruhr region is a historically very interesting region. The "Ruhrpott" has experienced varied evolution: From the Neanderthal Man via the Roman Legionnaire to the medieval Hanseatic League, via the "industrial barons" of the 19^th century and the destruction in the bombing war to the steel crisis and the structural change in the past decades - between the Ruhr, Emscher and Lippe rivers traces have been left behind, and the history is understandable. Many unique industrial monuments which provide insight into the Ruhr region's past invite visitors to look, marvel and explore.

Today the Ruhr region is no longer a land of coal mines and fuming smokestacks. Situated in the "North Rhineland-Westphalian media land", the region also presents itself as one of the main centres of the online world and "digital" knowledge provision. Five universities, several advanced technical colleges, numerous museums, archives and libraries as well as other institutions have made the Ruhr region a hub for education and information. Last but not least, the historical awareness of the people in this region is particularly well-pronounced: The historical associations and homeland clubs existing throughout the region are proof of this.

The northern portion of the Ruhr region belongs to the Bishopric of Münster.
Further info on the Ruhr region is available at:
www.ruhrgebiet.de
www.ruhrgebiettouristik.de

Among other things, the following attractions can be found in the portion of the Ruhr region belonging to the Bishopric of Münster:

Lembeck Castle has developed over the course of centuries into one of the most beautiful moated castles in North Rhineland-Westphalia. It is still in family possession today. The "Schlaunsche Hall" and other parts of the building can be visited, as well as the folklore museum in the main house. Herten Castle in the midst of an old English landscape park is also worth visiting. Today the castle and the castle park serve as the backdrop for various significant cultural events in the region.
The most significant museum of Eastern Orthodox Church art outside of the orthodox Christian countries can be found in Recklinghausen. Over 600 icons, embroideries, miniatures as well as wooden and metal works from Russia, Greece and other Balkan nations provide an overview of the various themes of icon painting and minor arts in the Christian East.
A unique documentation centre for Jewish history and religion is the Westphalian Jewish Museum in Dorsten. Letters, documents and texts, but also everyday devices, cult objects and other things left behind by deported Jews for safekeeping with friends have been integrated in the encounter and documentation centre.
A visit to the Sri Kamadchi Ampal Temple in Hamm is worth a visit. The history of the temple is closely associated with the flight of tens of thousands of Tamils. They left Sri Lanka starting in 1983 as the conflict between the Singhalese majority and the Tamil minority intensified. About 60,000 Sri Lankan Tamils presently live in Germany, and about 45,000 of them are Hindus.
Hamm also offers a railway museum in which old locomotives, a reconstructed railway station from the 1950's and a functional, historic railway section can be marvelled at and experienced. The "Open Air Museum" is also interesting for visitors without specific technical or railway expertise on account of its clarity and graphic nature.

Dorsten
Marl
Datteln
Recklinghausen
Herten
Hamm