Zeche Zollverein
In the north of Essen, the Zollverein coal mine with its XII shaft, the coking plant and the 1/2/8 shafts is one of the most important industrial monuments in Europe. In December 2001, the Zollverein Mine was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Since then, the sprawling industrial complex has been a magnet for visitors and home to art and culture in the Ruhr region.