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Bahnhofstrasse: Main artery linking the Oberstadt and Unterstadt

Bahnhofstrasse was developed as a pedestrianised shopping zone in 1972. The street links Siegen’s main station with the ‘Neue Ufer’ along the River Sieg to the Kölner Tor, from where Kölner Strasse leads up the Siegberg and into the Oberstadt district.

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Bahnhofstrasse is a popular shopping thoroughfare in the traditional sense, offering shops and restaurants. In 2016, it ranked among the top 10 most frequented shopping streets in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia – and little wonder, given the level of urban development that has taken place. The Siegplatte, a concrete car park overhanging the river, has been superseded by a new riverbank area. This remodelled zone with trick fountains for children and lively outdoor restaurants makes the traditional pedestrianised zone the “place to be” in the Krönchen city.

Historically, this was not always a shopping area – many hotels lined the street well into the 20th century. Today, though, the focus is squarely on shopping with a large branch of C&A, Schuhhaus Schreiber (which has stood here since the early 20th century) and Orsay – followed by an enjoyable coffee or more at Cafe Extrablatt, Asian food and contemporary burgers. In 2020, demolition work left a large empty space at the beginning of Bahnhofstrasse. This will be filled by the Johann Moritz Quartier, a highly modern commercial and residential building that will accommodate numerous shops, apartments and offices.