Bochum is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, western Germany and is located in
the Ruhr area. In 1965, the Ruhr University was opened, the first university in
the area and the first to be founded in Germany since World War II. Bochum is
served by Düsseldorf International Airport.
Propsteikirche St. Peter und Paul, is the oldest church in Bochum, built between
785-800 by Charlemagne. It was rebuilt in the 11th century, but was severely
damaged by fire in 1517. In 1547, it was again rebuilt, this time, in the late
Gothic style. The 68-meter high bell tower is one of the main landmarks of
Bochum. The interior includes a baptismal font from 1175, the reliquary shrine
of St. Perpetua and her slave Felicitas, and a high altar with a crucifix from
1352.
Bochum has a municipal zoo, a large municipal park and a number of other gardens
and parks. The Ruhr University Botanical Gardens has thousands of plants from
all over the world. Among others there is a tropical garden, a cactus garden,
and a Chinese garden designed in the southern Chinese style, the only one of its
kind in Germany.
City of Bochum, Germany official website: www.bochum.de
