Manifesta Biennale Takes Over Dozen Disused Churches in Germany's Ruhr Region

Manifesta, the nomadic European biennale, is activating 12 former Catholic churches across Germany's Ruhr region through October 2026. The Ruhr, western Europe's third-largest urban area, was heavily bombed in WWII, leading to the construction of hundreds of 'Pantoffelkirchen' (slipper churches) within walking distance of new housing estates. Today, up to 300 churches are disused or derelict, with 100 sold in the past year. The biennale fills these spaces with ball games, bouncy castles, and community-focused installations, aiming to spark revival in towns like Bochum and Gelsenkirchen. The initiative highlights the region's post-industrial decline and the adaptive reuse of religious architecture.