Photo: Cesar von Meissen
Location near Baldeneysee where the Ruhr River once pulsed
The Towpath The site in Essen Werden is one of the Ruhr region's underrated historical landmarks. This location was once a hub for transportation. Situated directly adjacent to (and beneath) the present-day Gustav Heinemann Bridge, it marks the spot where the historical towpath The towpath along the Ruhr River once crossed to the other side. It's hard to imagine today that the Ruhr was a busy waterway between 1780 and 1890. Yet, for decades, horses pulled heavy barges upstream right here. The towpath in Essen Werden still stands as a reminder of Ruhr shipping in Werden. It is one of the many sights in Essen Werden.
The towpath: A transport route that shaped the Ruhr region
The towpath, which is almost completely preserved between Duisburg and Witten and is now a popular destination for cycling and walking, was once a vital backbone of the local economy. Draft animals or people used it to pull heavy transport ships upstream – a process known as "towpath navigation." In the area of the paper mill lock in Löwental In 2022, a section of the historic path was made visible again through an initiative of the district government. The city of Essen wanted to highlight the importance of towpath navigation for the development of Werdens.
Anecdote from the riverbank
Eyewitness accounts recount that the towmen often argued with the boatmen about the correct rhythm. If the horses and boatmen weren't working in sync, there were abrupt stops – and occasionally a boatman, and sometimes even a draft animal, ended up in the water. Therefore, the towmen carried a sharp knife to cut the tow ropes, which could be up to 400 meters long, if necessary. The towpath system made Werden a lively port city where work and anecdotes went hand in hand.
Photo: Cesar von Meissen
Werden as a port city: An underestimated chapter
Until 1830, the Ruhr Customs Inspection was located in Haus Heck, and the Neukirch harbor near the Neukircher Mill This resulted in heavy shipping traffic. The waiting times at the lock meant that skippers often stayed in the town for days – a circumstance that made Werden a sociable, sometimes bustling, port town. Near the towpath are a number of attractions that continue to make Werden a popular destination today:
The towpath today: peace and Ruhr romance
Today, the towpath is a place of slowing down. Strollers, cyclists History buffs and locals alike gather here. The square is part of the Ruhr Valley Cycle Route and uniquely combines nature, leisure, and industrial heritage. Those who linger here and close their eyes for a moment might imagine horses once pulling their horses along the riverbank and barges maneuvering their punts through the Ruhr. The towpath is thus not just a historical site, but a living piece of Ruhr history.
Interesting facts at the end
Only about 80 of the Ruhr's 220 kilometers were navigable – nevertheless, Werden became an important transshipment point. The towpath is now mostly paved, as it forms part of the Ruhr Valley Cycle Route. The name "Treidelplatz" (towpath square) is a deliberate reminder of the Ruhr's shipping history.
