Our next postcard is on its way to Leinatal, a small
town located in the geographic centre of Germany, 1600 kilometres away!
Lucía, an intermediate 1 student, has chosen a
postcard featuring some of the most beloved Galician seafood delicacies:
nécoras (velvet crab), percebes (goose-neck barnacles), centolos (spider crab),
cigalas (Norway lobsters), langosta (lobster), ameixas (clams), berberechos
(cockles) and mexilóns (mussels)
Having a “mariscada” is definitely one of the best
ways of tasting Galicia. Click here to find out more about Galician seafood.
Essen has a population of approximately 567,000 people, which
makes it the 9th-largest city in Germany. It has a temperate-Oceanic climate
with relatively mild winters and cool summers.
ESSEN IS FAMOUS FOR….
Essen is one of Germany's most important coal and steel centers.
It is seat to several large companies, among them the ThyssenKrupp industrial
conglomerate, one of the world's largest steel producers providing components
and systems for the automotive industry, elevators, escalators, material
trading and industrial services.
Declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO in 2001, Zollverein
is the “most beautiful coal mine in the world". It is considered an
architectural and technical masterpiece and its winding tower has become a
symbol for the whole Ruhr area.
Built in 1873, Villa Hügel was Krupp’s representative seat. The
mansion has 269 rooms and occupies 8,100 m². It is situated in a 28-hectare
park that overlooks the River Ruhr. The villa Hügel is now property of Essen
culture.
Essen’s major museum is a major collection of 19th- and
20th-century art, including paintings, graphics, photography and antique
ceramics. Admission is free except for special exhibitions.
LIFESTYLE
Despite
the fact that Essen is one of the most industrial cities in Germany, it is one
of the greenest! It was awarded the European Green Capital Award for 2017.
Essen was singled out for its practices in protecting and enhancing
nature and biodiversity and efforts to reduce water consumption. It also
participates in a variety of networks and initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions.
WANNA
TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR OF ESSEN? Watch this video!
Rüsselsheim am Main is the largest city in the
Groß-Gerau district in the Rhein-Main region of Germany. It is located on the
Main, between Frankfurt and Mainz, only a few kilometres from its mouth in
Mainz.
RÜSSELSHEIM
IS FAMOUS FOR...
…the presence of the German car company Adam Opel AG.
The oldest sight to see is the fort which dates back
to the year 1399. On the ramparts which are accessible on foot and in the
excavated east round tower, visitors get an impression of the fort and grounds.
The fort is also the home of the Town and Industry
Museum which is well worth a visit. The museum clearly illustrates the
connection between social history and the history of industry.
Built at the beginning of the 20th century, the Opel
Villas are situated between the fort and the Town Park and today house the Art
Centre. Mainly works of classical Modern Art are exhibited here.
Only a few meters away from the Opel Villas, the Late
Romantic Verna Park (Town Park) with its castle ruins and imitation mill tempts
visitors to linger a while.
On your tour of the town you shouldn’t miss the
“memorial” on Löwenplatz. (Lion Square) It marks the place of Adam Opel’s first
workshop and reminds us of its initial size in comparison to today’s factory.
If you want to know more about Rüsselsheim, watch this
video:
