Essen 1887 – A Mixed Reality journey through time

The time travel is suitable for people with a certain affinity for technology and an interest in the city of Essen. The completely new concept of a "mixed reality" is unique in the world and combines a real tour with a fictional story that makes it possible to experience a bygone era in a technically processed way with actors. Using a smartphone should not be a problem for you. If you do, the tour might be too much for you. You should also be good on your feet to cover the approx. 1.84 km distance without any problems. Please note that the tour is currently only available in German.

With the latest generation of mixed reality glasses, you never lose sight of your surroundings. The mixed reality glasses are slightly larger than normal glasses and permanently scan the surroundings by means of sensors. Digital markers are set at certain locations in Essen's city centre, to which the glasses react. Virtual reality appears before your eyes, which only you can see. Old houses appear, people appear and involve you in the story. Nevertheless, you continue to register what is happening around you. That is the biggest difference to virtual reality.

Essen 1887 is a pioneer project, as mixed reality glasses for leisure use are new to the market. For the first time, they are used in public spaces at Essen 1887 and GPS is used to control the tour. The interaction of the characters in the tour with the visitors is also currently unique. The main characters appear as volumetric holograms that speak to you and that you can view from all sides. In addition, walk-through virtual rooms appear in which you can move around. There is no other experience like this in the world, with top-class actors and artists.

You book a two-hour time slot online for 25 euros per person. At the Tourist Info, Kettwiger Str. 2-10, 45127 Essen, you will then receive the Nreal glasses, a mobile phone as a player and Bluetooth headphones upon presentation of your ticket and ID card/passport. The devices will be checked for damage when they are returned. You will be responsible for any costs incurred in the event of damage or even loss. Then it's time to go. The mobile phone dials into the GPS and the glasses show you the way, just like a car journey with the sat nav. When you arrive at the location, the glasses tell you whether a person, building or scene needs to be positioned and where this should best happen. Follow the instructions. Then look calmly at the illuminated circle and wait for the application to load. Before the 120 minutes are up, simply return the glasses and the mobile phone to the Tourist Info.

In the 2023 season, you can book the time travel from the end of January to the end of March every Saturday and Sunday in a time slot from 10 am to 4:15 pm. From April to the end of October, the tours take place on Wednesdays to Sundays, during the week in a time slot between 1 and 4 p.m. and on weekends between 10 a.m. and 4:15 p.m.

You will soon be able to book your journey back in time to 1887 online again or at the Tourist Info, Kettwiger Str. 2-10, 45127 Essen, where you can choose a fixed time slot. This also guarantees a speedy processing on site.

Our mixed reality journey through time is the perfect experience at any time. The tour can be taken alone or with friends or family. You are always in the fresh air in downtown Essen. Distance restrictions and even contact restrictions do not prevent you from being inspired by this city tour of a different kind.

No, the performers of the mixed reality journey through time will not be live on site. They were digitized in the studio and will appear in the tour as three-dimensional life-size holograms.

The tour is recommended for children from the age of 8. As the tour confronts visitors with a great many and real-looking impressions, parents must decide for themselves how media-savvy and experienced their child is. Children under 16 must always be accompanied by an adult.

Yes! There are two options for people who wear glasses. Firstly, you can keep your normal glasses on and wear the MR glasses in front of them. However, it is somewhat more comfortable for you if we insert additional lenses into the MR glasses. These are available from -1 to -8 dioptres, if available. Please bring your glasses passport and a glasses case with you to your time travel, so that we can fit you with the best possible glasses.

No, you do not need to bring your own headphones. Each guest will be provided with a pair of Bluetooth headphones.

Yes, the journey through time can also be done by wheelchair users.

A total of six pairs of glasses are available every 15 to 30 minutes, which you can book as a group. For a group of more than six people, you would have to book two consecutive time slots. It is important to note: You can start as a group, yet the glasses are not synchronous, the experience is staggered in time and place depending on how, where and when you position scenes and characters. Therefore, during the course of the tour, the group may be at different stations along the route and everyone will experience the tour individually. For larger groups, however, you can reserve the desired number in advance by contacting us at touristinfo@essen.de or by phone at +49 201 8872333. At least as long as the glasses are available on that day.

The total distance of the time travel is 1.84 km. This has to be covered by the participants on foot.

The mixed reality time travel is weather-independent. We recommend that you wear appropriate clothing and shoes for the weather and use an umbrella to protect your glasses in case of rain. In summer, a cap or peaked hat is helpful.

Like any new high-tech product, "Essen 1887" is primarily suitable for technically experienced people. In isolated cases, GPS problems occur on some days, over which we unfortunately have no control and which can lead to time delays. Sometimes you just need a little patience. Depending on the weather, the sensors react sensitively. For example, you should not look at the sun. Rain can also irritate the glasses and in some cases cause the phones to crash. As a rule, our staff are on the route and provide assistance on the spot. Otherwise, please call the Tourist Info at +49 201 8872333.