Wattenscheid
Wattenscheid | |
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Wattenscheid street scene | |
Interactive map of Wattenscheid | |
| Coordinates: 51°29′N 7°08′E / 51.483°N 7.133°E | |
| Country | Germany |
| State | North Rhine-Westphalia |
| City | Bochum |
| Population (2023) | |
• Total | 73,965 |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal codes | 44866–44894 |
| Dialling code | 02327 |
| Website | bochum |
Wattenscheid (German pronunciation: [ˈvatn̩ˌʃaɪ̯t] ⓘ) is a Stadtbezirk (urban district) of the German city of Bochum, in the Ruhr area of North Rhine-Westphalia. Until its incorporation into Bochum in 1975, Wattenscheid was an independent town with a long history dating back to its first recorded mention in 880. In the Middle Ages, it was a member of the Hanseatic League and later became known as a coal mining center during the industrialization of the Ruhr region. The last local coal mine closed in 1973.
As of 2025, Wattenscheid has about 74,000 inhabitants. It consists of residential areas and historic churches, including St. Gertrud von Brabant. The district also has a strong sporting tradition, serving as the base for the football club SG Wattenscheid 09, the athletics club TV Wattenscheid 01, and the chess club SV Wattenscheid.