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Coal Mining Past and Culturel Present
In Gelsenkirchen, soccer is king. Few cities are so close to their soccer clubs like Gelsenkirchen with the FC Schalke 04. The club follows a long tradition and great international success, and it is the city's best source of prestige. Since August 2001, the club has a new stadium, the Arena AufSchalke.
Gelsenkirchen was first mentioned in a written document in the year 1150. Even today, some monuments represent the early history of this industrial city. The oldest one can be found in the middle of a protected natural area: 300 year old oaks. The Luttinghoff Castle, surrounded by water is first mentioned in 1308. It is a building with two structures, gardens and moat which constitute an important architectonic ensemble.
The castle's main structure was exclusively for military purpose, while the second one was made up of a complex of buildings dating from the 18th century that served as dwelling and storage. Since 1994, the castle has been recognized as a building typical of the Nordrhein-Westphalia area.
Berge Palace, located in the middle of a park in the style of late baroque and early classicism, was built in 1264 by Gerlach von Strunkede, and then rebuilt and converted into a palace. It was modernized between the years 1785 - 1788 and has kept the same appearance until the present time. It has large baroque gardens and green areas suitable for strolls and, together with the lake, it is an attractive sight in contrast with the industrial landscape of the city.
There is also another palace, the Horst Palace, which is an example of the Renaissance Era in this Northwestern area of Germany. The family of the nobleman Rutger von der Horst had it built between the years 1555 and 1773. Nowadays, it is a Renaissance Museum that is also used to host concerts.
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