Gasometer Oberhausen
Nordrhein-Westfalen
The Gasometer Oberhausen, located in the heart of Oberhausen's Neue Mitte district by the Rhine-Herne Canal, is a monumental former gas storage tank transformed into Europe's tallest exhibition and event hall. Originally constructed between 1927 and 1929 as a disc gas holder, it stored blast furnace gas from nearby steel plants, symbolizing the Ruhr area's industrial heritage. Damaged during World War II and decommissioned in 1988, the Gasometer was preserved and converted into a cultural venue during the International Building Exhibition Emscher Park in the early 1990s. It now hosts large-scale exhibitions, concerts, theater performances, and lectures, attracting millions of visitors. The building's unique architecture features a steel gas pressure disc that once floated on stored gas, now fixed to create exhibition spaces beneath and above. Visitors can ascend 592 external steps or take a panoramic elevator to the roof, which offers sweeping views of the Ruhr landscape. Recognized as a historic engineering landmark in Germany, the Gasometer stands as a symbol of industrial transformation and cultural revitalization in the region.
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Tip: Visit from Tuesday to Sunday between 10 AM and 6 PM, with extended hours during NRW Easter holidays and special exhibitions. Advance ticket purchase is recommended due to high demand. Group tours and school visits can be booked online. For panoramic views, consider climbing the 592 external steps or using the panoramic elevator. Check the official website for current exhibitions and events.
Interesting facts
- •The Gasometer was Europe's largest operational disc gas holder until 1988, with a capacity of 347,000 cubic meters, a height of 117 meters, and diameter of nearly 68 meters.
- •It is part of the European Route of Industrial Heritage, connecting key industrial sites across several countries.
- •The external stair tower has 592 steps and is one of the largest industrial staircases worldwide, hosting an annual stair climb event called the Gasometerlauf.
- •More than ten million visitors have attended the 18 exhibitions held inside since its cultural conversion.
- •In 2019, it was designated a Historic Landmark of Engineering in Germany.
History
The Gasometer Oberhausen was constructed from 1927 to 1929 as a disc gas holder to store blast furnace gas from local steelworks.
It was heavily damaged during World War II and ceased operation in 1945.
After a fire during repair work, it was dismantled to its foundation and rebuilt by 1949, continuing operation until 1988.
Initially slated for demolition, preservation efforts led to its purchase by the city in 1992.
It was converted into an exhibition hall during the International Building Exhibition Emscher Park in 1993-94, becoming Europe's tallest exhibition space and a landmark of industrial heritage.
Place Guide
Main Exhibition Hall1993-1994
Located beneath the fixed gas pressure disc, this vast space hosts large-scale immersive exhibitions, often featuring art, nature, or industrial themes.
Upper Stage and Amphitheatre1993-1994
Above the exhibition hall, a steel tribune amphitheatre with seating for 500 visitors provides a venue for concerts, lectures, and theater performances.
External Stair Tower and Roof Platform1993-1994
The external stair tower with 592 steps and an elevator leads visitors to the roof, offering panoramic views over the Ruhr region and the industrial landscape.
Panoramic Elevator1993-1994
A glass panoramic elevator inside the Gasometer transports visitors vertically through the enormous interior space, enhancing the experience of the building's scale.
Contact
Phone: 0208 850370
