Because the research I'm doing is related to an area that became urban due to the growth of the coal industry, how could I pass up a chance to visit an old coal mine?
Actually though, the Zeche Zollverein in Essen, Germany is more than just an old mine. Although a tour of the facility did teach me more than I ever expected to learn about coal mining, Essen is really a cultural and design center for Germany's Ruhr Valley. Part of the movement to modernize the region and pay homage to its history after the collapse of the coal and steel industries, the Zeche Zollverein has everything from a design museum to a swimming pool.
Actually though, the Zeche Zollverein in Essen, Germany is more than just an old mine. Although a tour of the facility did teach me more than I ever expected to learn about coal mining, Essen is really a cultural and design center for Germany's Ruhr Valley. Part of the movement to modernize the region and pay homage to its history after the collapse of the coal and steel industries, the Zeche Zollverein has everything from a design museum to a swimming pool.