St. Ludgerus Basilica is one of Essen's strongest historic churches, rooted in the old abbey town of Werden rather than the industrial city centre. The basilica preserves the memory of Saint Ludger and gives Werden a depth that is easy to miss if you only know Essen through coal and steel.
The church treasury is the reason to linger, with medieval religious art and objects connected to the former Benedictine abbey. Pair the basilica with a walk through Werden and along Baldeneysee; it shows a gentler, older Essen than the one most visitors expect.