Oberhausen is particularly known for its CentrO shopping center. This is the largest shopping and entertainment complex in Europe. The shopping center attracts thousands of visitors every week, and during the winter months, a charming Christmas market is held around the center. Many Dutch people also find their way to this shopping center.
The city has a long industrial history. There were coal mines and many factories. The mines closed in 1992 and were repurposed. Many old factories now house museums, and an entertainment center has been built on the former industrial site, making Oberhausen a fascinating city to explore. Apart from Vondern Moated Castle, there are hardly any old buildings left, but the industrial architecture along Essener Strasse and the 19th-century workers' quarter in Osterfeld are good alternatives. At Oberhausen Castle, you can admire art from the GDR and stroll through the Kaisergarten. The Vonderort Revierpark is now a popular recreation area. In Oberhausen's old town, in the middle of the Altmarkt, you'll find the Friedenssäule (Friedenssäule), a monument commemorating the Prussian victory during the Danish-Prussian War of 1864 and the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871.
