Take a walk in Kettwig Old Town and you'll think you've wandered into somewhere else entirely. This district may be part of Essen, but it couldn't feel more different. During the Second World War, Kettwig was too small and insignificant to be bothered by Allied bombers, and the houses here have remained unchanged. The history of the city is nowhere more alive than here in these facades. What's particularly appealing is that the half-timbered houses are jumbled together, picture-postcard frontages rubbing shoulders with nondescript facades (in those days the building regulations were much more lax). The best view is the one across the mill race from the old bridge. See if you can spot the pretty church tower – built in the 13th century!
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