Dortmund, the major hub in the Ruhr region, has transitioned from a stronghold of coal and steel heavy industries to a city famed for its high-tech manufacturing. Though it wears a contemporary cloak, it doesn’t shy away from showcasing its historical roots. Take a look at the renowned Dortmunder U tower, an icon since 1927, formerly housing the Dortmunder Union Brauerei which was once the most accomplished brewery in West Germany. The ‘U’ crowning the tower was introduced in the 1960s and soars to a height of nine meters. In 2010, with its selection as the European Capital of Culture, the erstwhile brewery was transformed into a cultural epicenter featuring the Ostwall Museum. Here, you’ll find exhibitions of expressionist art by the likes of celebrated artists such as Kandinsky, Kirchner, Otto Dix, Paul Klee, Picasso, Chagall, Joan Miró, and Salvador Dalí. Unleash your wanderlust on Westenhellweg, touted as one of the busiest shopping streets in Germany. A stroll along its unique blend of old and new roads promises glimpses of a bygone era co-existing with the pulsing rhythm of German innovation.