World Cup 2006
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City Guides
Dortmund
Dortmund
What Dortmund is famous for though, apart from the presence of their football team, is Beer. Dortmund is home to four of the biggest and best known German beers – although only two have really made it over to our shores – Becks and Dab. Surprisingly enough though, the two other brands are probably the most consumed in the cities bars and restaurants – namely Kronen and Union. In fact both of these brewers can still be seen prominently within the city centre.
One of the most pleasant features of a warm sunny day in Dortmund is to sit in the Old Town square at a café and sample some of these brews. The square is also home to a well stocked Borussia Dortmund Fan Shop and the official FIFA World Cup 2006 ™ store in the Karstadt Sports store.
Westfalen Park
–The Westfalen Park is the lungs of the city. In the summer it also acts as the city’s heart, with families and groups of friends flocking here to enjoy the open spaces and shady groves. In the middle of the park is the TV Tower, a 212 metre tower which offers fantastic views of the city from the observation platform at 140 metres. There is also a restaurant where you can sit and watch the city go by. The park is also the scene of the city’s summer cultural festivals including an open air theatre.
Dortmund Zoo
–Dortmund Zoo is home to over 2,500 animals from all over the world including an excellent Amazon house, recreating the flora and fauna of the South American jungle.
Motor Car Museum
– This collection of cars and motor bikes traces the history of motor travel from the early part of the twentieth century. It has many excellent models to explore including Ferraris and Porsches.
Steinwache Memorial Museum
–This museum is housed in the original prison used by the Gestapo for housing social dissidents. It was opened in 1933, around the time that the Nazi party came to power in the Weimar Republic, and was eventually closed by the Allied forces in 1945. The museum houses exhibits showing the events of the time as well as story of some of the 300,000 that were imprisoned here.
Shopping
Shopping within the city centre is focused on the main pedestrian thoroughfares of Westenhellweg and Ostenhellweg. In these streets you will find all the major German and International chains, as well as a few interesting shops unique to Dortmund. The main department stores of Kaufhof and Karstadt are found in this area – plus Karstadt has a specific Sports store in Altermarkt, next door to Borussia Dortmund’s fanshop. On certain days you will also find a market set up in Hansa Platz and Alter Markt.
For more in-depth information, check out Stuart Fuller’s Fans Guide To German Stadiums 2005/06
