The Gasometer

Eyes wide open at the Gasometer

Last day in Oberhausen. I didn’t feel it was appropriate not to experience something of the culture (no malls and restaurants don’t count). So despite the fact that I had a train to catch to another city, I felt I had to at least make an attempt. I checked out but then left my luggage with the hotel (“I will be back in an hour”).
The closest destination I could think of was the Gasometer which was quite visible from lots of places I had been to around the hotel and the office.
I crossed the road and headed in the general direction. It was a little farther than I had suspected. I looked at the time. I had an appointment in another city and wasn’t even sure how regular the trains ran in that direction on a Saturday. I decided it was worth the risk. Unfortunately I had to go through in a hurry. I don’t mind spending a whole day in a good museum, but I had a train to catch. Even at that I must have spent about close to 3 hours there. Normally I would read the story/description attached to any picture/sculpture I am interested in and try to imagine what life was like then or even imagine myself “into” the scene: like a witness to the conversation.
Took some pictures. Below.
The museum itself was in a converted cylindrical steel structure.
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For those up to the challenge, there is a long series of flights up the outside to the top at 110 meters where you can see the whole city laid out below. See pics below. There is a lift for the less adventurous or less fit.
You can then enter the building and chill out at the amphitheater at the base on cushions while watching a choreographed display of black and white light patterns running up the inside of the tower all the way to the top – set to some relaxing music.
110 meters above is my target destination. “Stairways to Heaven.”
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Is that a submarine?
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110.45m above ground level.
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Took a lift back down(on the inside of the vertical steel structure, so you can look down at the people seated or reclining or standing in the amphitheater-like space with the cushions where you seat to watch the light display)
Below that level are the two bottom levels where the paintings and sculptures are exhibited.
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Medusa of course.
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And the Mona Lisa (A copy. The original is in the Louvre Museum in Paris)
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And because we are always “representing” (something from the Benin Kingdom)
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Massive painting under glass on the floor.
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God creating the world.
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Jesus (under a shroud in the tomb)
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It was worth every penny of the 9 Euros I paid. I think couple or group tickets might be cheaper but I didn’t check.
Outside for the even more adventurous, you can sign up for some tree climbing.
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The Gasometer website is at: http://www.gasometer.de/de/