Established in the middle half of the 9th century A.D., Essen is a historical and cultural hub. Dotted with numerous wonderful entertainment scenes such as theatres, operas, museums and art galleries, the city keeps you engaged anywhere you go. Essen was an important coal mining center in the 19th century until the late 20th century, with the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex at its heart. The complex etched itself as a significant industrial heritage site with the tag of UNESCO World Heritage Site, due to its poise as an architectural masterpiece. Essen was rightly named the European Cultural Capital in 2010 and holds a strong international presence.