Blue and green - that's Gelsenkirchen: Blue, of course, like the royal blue Schalke 04, in whose arena not only the ball rolls, but also international stars such as Ed Sheeran or Taylor Swift come to spectacular concerts. Or blue, like the famous sponge reliefs by Yves Klein in the Musiktheater im Revier or the blue ribbon of the Rhine-Herne Canal, which runs through the city from east to west. There are also extensive green spaces, large forest areas and parks with old trees, as well as industrial forests and parks that breathe new life into former heavy industry sites. Former industrial slag heaps are now excursion destinations with fantastic panoramic views over the Ruhr region. There are also spectacular venues such as the Heilig-Kreuz-Kirche, a jewel of brick expressionism, or the amphitheatre with its stage directly on the Rhine-Herne Canal. Gelsenkirchen is the perfect place for anyone who likes the rugged charm of a big city, the juxtaposition of culture and nature in extraordinary places, and who loves football.