From small beginnings, the village of Bestwig developed very quickly after the construction of the Ruhrtal railroad from 1872, through the railroad station and a large railroad depot. Today Bestwig is the busy center in the Ruhr-Valme-Elpetal and the main town of the municipality of the same name. The archetectonically remarkable new Bestwig town hall regularly hosts highly acclaimed cultural events, especially cabaret. The modern Bergkloster Bestwig of the Sisters of St. Mary Magdalene Postel completes the picture of Bestwig.