The
capital of North Rhine-Westphalia, Düsseldorf lies on
the bank of the Rhine, and is the main centre for industry
and culture in the Ruhr-Rhine area. An important administrative
city as far back as the 1500s, the city developed considerably
after iron and steel industries were established in the 1870s.
Despite severe damage during the Second World War, Düsseldorf
has managed to recover much of its lost splendour- many of
the most prominent buildings have been rebuilt and restored,
and many are excellent reminders of the city’s past.
Among the most popular of Düsseldorf’s attractions
are the Benrath Palace, a pleasure palace and hunting lodge
set amidst lovely grounds, and considered one of the best
Baroque palaces in Europe; the Imperial Palace of Barbarossa,
a ruin, but important nevertheless; and the historic Town
Hall. The city boasts of 18 museums, including a fine museum
of ceramics), a huge number of parks and gardens, and a lot
of lovely old churches, including the beautiful St Lambertus
Basilica, with its slightly twisted steeple. |
Altstadt
Sometimes known as 'the longest bar in the world' Dusseldorf's
Altstadt - the Old Town - contains some 200 bars, cafes
and restaurants. Despite its relatively small size, the
crowds flock here at the weekend, filling most of the bars
to bursting point. But the Altstadt isn't just for night
owls. Row upon row of atmospheric old town houses have been
converted into shops and boutiques offering all a discerning
shopper could possibly wish for. Culture vultures are also
spoilt for choice, with places like the Hetjens Museum,
Film Museum, Stadtmuseum, Heinrich Heine Institute and Palais
Wittgenstein attracting visitors from far and wide.
Rheinturm
Erected in 1982 and towering 234m over the city, the telecommunications
tower is Dusseldorf's highest building. The revolving, glass-fronted
'Top 180' restaurant at 180m is a great place to enjoy a
glass of wine and watch the sun slowly set over the city.
A viewing platform and a self-service restaurant are located
one floor below. From the outside of the tower you can gaze
up at the digital clock, which incidentally, is not particularly
easy to read.
Königsallee
When it was built in 1804, the 'Kö', as it is affectionately
known to locals, was situated in a slightly run-down area
on the edge of the city. As Dusseldorf grew, the street
became more central and things really took off after a face-lift
at the start of the 20th century. An underground station
was opened, the pavements were widened and the street lamps,
kiosks and telephone boxes were restored. Nowadays the boulevard
is Dusseldorf's number one shopping street and has enhanced
the city's reputation as being one of Europe's major fashion
centres, but has also lent it a reputation for being somewhat
snobbish.
Heinrich-Heine-Institut
Heinrich Heine (1797-1856) is regarded as one of Germany's
greatest writers. The centrepiece of the Institute is an
exhibition documenting his life, his work and the influence
which he has had upon German literature over the centuries.
The library, which includes the manuscript department of
the regional and city library, is a starting point for literary
research; and the archives cover the fields of literature,
music, art and science. This unique cultural institution
not only allows scholars access to research material, but
is also a forum for communication and critical discussion.
Löbbecke-Museum und Aquazoo
A great place for kids and adults alike, the Löbbecke
Museum and aquarium is home to over 550 species of fish,
reptiles, mammals and insects. Containing 80 aquariums,
a tropical greenhouse, numerous insect cabinets and a fantastic
section about the evolution of man, this is one of the region's
most impressive natural history resources. A visit to the
aquarium could be combined with a walk around the Nordpark
which surrounds the museum.
Schloss Benrath
Located in the village of Benrath (a suburb of Dusseldorf
since 1929), this summer residence was erected in 1756-73
in the middle of a spacious park bordered by the Rhine by
electoral Prince Carl Theodor von Pfalz-Sulzbach. Designed
by Nicolas de Pigage, the residence is a fine example of
the transition from late baroque to classical architecture.
The main building contains some exquisite furniture and
18th century paintings, while the west wing is home to the
Benrath Natural History Museum, a fine exhibition outlining
the historical development of the Rhine-Ruhr area.
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