In Düsseldorf, the magnificent Rhine promenade is a real eye-catcher, especially the illuminated one in the evening. What else is there to see in Düsseldorf? What are the sights and monuments, parks and gardens, museums and theaters, forts and temples?
Top 13 attractions in Dusseldorf
Dusseldorf appeared on the banks of the Rhine in the 13th century. Centuries have passed and the city in Germany, thanks to the industriousness of its people, has become an important economic, financial, and cultural center of northern Europe.
One of Düsseldorf’s districts, the Altstadt, is now jokingly called “the bar of the world. There are many traditional German beer houses, and around the old houses, architectural monuments of the 13th-18th centuries.
Old Town Altstadt
Like any ancient city, Düsseldorf has its own Old Town, i.e. its historical and cultural center. Here is the City Hall, the Academy of Fine Arts, many administrative buildings.
Most of the Old Town is only walkable, with cafes, old beer gardens, and taverns all around. Here is the Embankment, which is rightly considered the most beautiful along the whole length of the Rhine.
Dusseldorf was first mentioned in the mid-12th century as a small village. Already by the end of the 13th century it acquires the status of a city. By this time it had one main street Altstadt and several small alleys.
Burgplatz Square
The Burgplatz or Town Square is the center of the Old Town or Altstadt. Next to it is no less ancient Market Square. Both are protected by the state as historical monuments.
When Düsseldorf acquired city status, a castle was immediately laid out, where the duke and his family and servants later resided. Inside the castle was the Burgplatz. Later the castle gradually dilapidated, collapsed and was demolished.
Thus, at the beginning of the 20th century Burgplatz was given access to the Rhine, the Embankment was built there, and a pier was built near the Town Square. Today, only one tower remains of the former Düsseldorf Castle, which houses the museum. And the Burgplatz became a pedestrian zone.
New Customs
This is a group of buildings built in the late 20th century on the site of the Old Customs House near the city harbor. The architectural style of this complex is called deconstructivism and was invented by American architect Frank Gehry.
The buildings each have their own color: white, brick red on the sides, and a corrugated mirror color in the middle that reflects the previous two colors. This architect also designed the famous Dancing House in Prague.
This extraordinary architectural landmark of Düsseldorf is a constant success not only among residents and tourists, but also among students of architecture and construction.
Dusseldorf Town Hall
The Town Hall, or town hall, has been recognized as a monument of architecture for more than three decades and has been placed under state protection. At the beginning of the 16th century, the Town Hall was built on Market Square. Since then, all city managers have been located there.
The first wing of the Town Hall with the stair tower was built in Gothic style mixed with Renaissance and stands on Marktplatz. The second wing of the Town Hall is next to the City Square (Burgplatz). And the third one faces the Rhine Embankment.
The Second and Third Wings were built much later, all of which were rebuilt many times, especially after the war. Only the facade of the First Wing on Market Square has been preserved in its original form.
The Basilica of Sts. Lambert
This Catholic church was built in the 8th century. In the beginning it was a small chapel, but several centuries later it became a true Romanesque basilica dedicated to St. Lambert, the missionary.
At the end of the 13th century the basilica was rebuilt into a monastery church. A century later, it was consecrated in honor of the Virgin Mary. The basilica housed many holy relics, so it became the most popular in the area.
Today, the monks and rulers of Düsseldorf are buried in the shrine. In the 1970s of the 20th century, it acquired the status of a minor basilica, granted by the Pope. It is one of the oldest iconic landmarks of Düsseldorf and Germany.
Church of the Apostle Andrew
This is another Catholic church built in the first third of the 17th century in the Baroque style. It belongs to the Dominican order. It is now a working temple, is under the protection of the state as an architectural and historical value.
At the end of the 17th century, a special Jesuit building and vault were added to the church, originally given to the Jesuits. It now contains the ashes of the monks and the Elector of the Palatinate, whose monument stands on Market Square.
At the end of the 17th century, the Jesuit order ceased to exist by order of the Pope, and this church acquired parochial status, and in the early 21st century it was transferred to the Dominican order.
Tonhalle Concert Hall
This concert hall is no ordinary city philharmonic hall, but a place of extraordinary beauty that is a must-see in Düsseldorf. Interestingly, this building was originally built in the 1920s as a planetarium.
After the war it was decided to rebuild the planetarium and turn it into a concert hall. He had a beautiful dome, as if shining with jewels, and an extraordinary mirrored chandelier.
Thanks to the spherical shape of the planetarium, the concert hall has excellent acoustics throughout the room. The Tonhalle hosts hundreds of concerts each year, including. with the participation of the city symphony orchestra.
Kunstpalast Museum
The building of this art museum was built at the beginning of the last century as the Kunstpalast Palace. In the 1920s, the museum moved here. Today it houses more than 100,000 exhibits.
These are numerous paintings, drawings, photographs, as well as works of glass, metal, ceramics, textiles, etc. During Hitler’s time, about 900 works were removed from here, deemed to be degenerate art.
Be sure to come to the museum, there are paintings by Rubens, Cranach the Elder, German paintings of the 19th century, especially the expressionists. The museum has a magnificent collection of graphics by Michelangelo, Raphael, Veronese and other great masters.
Goethe Museum
This museum was opened in the middle of the 20th century and is considered one of the youngest museums dedicated to the great writer. It is located in the beautiful Jägerich Castle, built during Napoleonic times. Napoleon himself was a guest here for several days.
The central hall is called Faust and presents this great work of Goethe in its literary, musical, pictorial, philosophical and theological versions. Here you can look at many items of the 18th century: coins, porcelain, letters, notes, etc.
Goethe did not live in Düsseldorf, but often came to the city to visit friends. The museum has its own library and reading room. Under the influence of the local atmosphere, one cannot help but want to turn once again to the works of the great Goethe.
Benrath Palace
It is one of the most beautiful sights in Düsseldorf, Germany, located in the city, on the banks of the Rhine. The palace was built in the 17th century in the Rococo style with a transition to Classicism and has been a museum for almost 100 years.
The park around the palace has a square shape, it faces directly to the Rhine. There is a pond to the north of the park, near which several other representative buildings have been built. In the palace chambers lived the Elector and his family.
To the south of the palace are the former greenhouses, where the library is located today. At the beginning of the 21st century, the palace and the park were completely restored. Today there is a museum of natural history and a museum of garden art.
Kalkum Castle
The first mention of this castle dates back to the 9th century, then it was just a lord’s house with a church and outbuildings. In the 12th century, the Calcum family, then owners of the castle, came to town.
Later, the Kalkam Castle was repeatedly rebuilt and demolished. The current palace was built in the early 19th century in the classical style, mixed with baroque, and has since been preserved in its original form.
The palace is surrounded by a magnificent English park designed by architect Weich. Part of the park still exists today. The Kalkum Palace is now the seat of the State Archives. This is also the way classical music concerts are held.
King’s Alley
This is the name of the most beautiful and richest street in Düsseldorf, Germany. The main attractions of this street: expensive boutiques, art galleries, exclusive restaurants and the famous cafe “Kyo”.
The Royal Alley runs parallel to the Rhine, next to the Altstadt Old Town. Residents of Düsseldorf briefly call this wonderful place simply “Kö”. In front of you is the best pedestrian area of the city, where you can indulge in shopping.
The Royal Alley was born in the early 19th century with the help of the same architect Weyhe next to the demolished fortress walls and the moat around them. Today on this street is the most expensive land for the construction of cottages or stores.
Rhine promenade
The Düsseldorf waterfront stretches across the city for almost 2 kilometers along the right bank of the Rhine River near the Old Town. At the end of the 20th century, it received a special award as an example of German urban planning.
Until the end of the 19th century at the site of today’s Embankment was a medieval fortress wall in Dusseldorf, where the Elector lived with his family and servants. Then the fortress walls were demolished and the city port and the two-tiered promenade were built.
At the end of the 20th century, a competition was announced among architects to design the embankment. The best project won, it took about 2 years to implement, and the architects who created it received many prizes and awards.
