Gasometer Oberhausen

The Oberhausen Gasometer - a cathedral of industrial culture

Towering like a rock in the waves, the Oberhausen Gasometer is hard to miss. The 100-year history of this man-made “rock” has been quite eventful:  it was bombed during the war, scorched by a fire during reconstruction and  finally decommissioned in 1988. At this point some might have given up on  the Oberhausen megalith. But rather than allow this industrial relic to  disappear, the citizens consulted with the city council, the state government  and the International Building Exhibition (IBA) Emscher Park. Together they  came up with a new future for the metal cylinder.

Converted and freshly refurbished, today the Gasometer shines like new,  presenting an incomparable blend of industrial history and cultural  redeployment. It is hard to describe the sense of space inside this “industrial  cathedral”. As a setting for cultural events, the facilities within offer an entirely  new experience. Whether it’s used for exhibitions, theatrical performances or  concerts, the location always figures prominently.  Even setting aside any special events, however, the Gasometer is well worth a  visit. A trip right up to the underside of the roof in the panoramic glass lift is just one  of the highlights.  You can also fit in a small workout by climbing the 592 steps up to the  rooftop. You’ll be rewarded with a view that’s worthy of an Instagram story  any time. On match days, football fans can even see into the stadium that is  home to FC Schalke 04.

In short, the Gasometer is clearly more than just an industrial monument.  Since its decommissioning over 30 years ago – or in fact, as a result of this – it  has developed into a symbol of the city of Oberhausen, going on to become a  distinctive and unmissable landmark of the entire region.