¡A DIZZYING FUTURE!
The tallest landmark in Düsseldorf is the Rheinturm (Rhine Tower). This giant telecommunications tower, inaugurated in 1981, is almost 241 metres high and is visible from all parts of the city. Come with us to the top, where you can enjoy the most spectacular views of Düsseldorf, the capital of the federal state of Rhineland-Westphalia and the eternal rival of Cologne´s neighbouring city. The fact is that Düsseldorf and Cologne, both on the Rhine, have had an exciting and healthy rivalry going on for years. The two cities are in constant competition to prove which of them is the better city, both economically and artistically.
The slender Rheinturm is located next to Düsseldorf´s harbour. It is a former industrial area where run-down factories have given way to futuristic architecture, creating an ultra-modern space with magical ´dancing houses´. These impressive constructions seem to dance thanks to the magic of their creator. Canadian architect Frank Ghery was a genius capable of designing buildings as sculptures, almost endowing them with life and movement.
After discovering the architectural avant-garde of the site, it is time to raise our gaze towards infinity and admire the might of the Rhine Tower. We will then feel the need to go to the top to take the lift that will take us to the sky as fast as a space rocket!
Once at the top, the spectacle begins. The Rhine Tower has a viewing platform at the height of 168 metres. From that distance, the impression is breathtaking! The views are simply spectacular. A modern bar awaits us on the same floor, whose glass walls are tilted outwards to create the impressive effect of challenging the void - ideal for a toast to being "in the clouds"! Four metres above the observation deck is a revolving restaurant that makes a complete circumferential turn. It´s a real treat to sample its fusion cuisine as its platform gradually rotates to show us a different view of Düsseldorf and, of course, the unforgettable sights at night... But the surprises aren´t over yet! The Rhine Tower observation deck features the world´s most giant digital clock in an original light sculpture that projects the time employing light beams.
Climbing the Rheinturn is an unforgettable experience that will allow you to discover how small and big the world is. From this viewpoint, the mighty Rhine offers one of its best views with its winding course between bridges. And on the sunniest days, you can see the silhouette of the famous Cologne Cathedral, which is 40 kilometres away.
Rheinturm (Rhine Tower)
Stromstraße 20
40221 Düsseldorf, Germany
Opening hours: from 12h to 00h. Entrance fee: 9 euros.
"VERY CONSERVATIVE" ANCESTORS
The gastronomy of the Rhineland offers a wide variety of dishes, all of which are hearty and consistently cooked with care and generosity. That´s why it is always difficult to choose just one dish, especially when you are hungry. So, to help you make this difficult choice, we will recommend a local speciality that has been dazzling its inhabitants for centuries. Rheinischer Sauerbraten´s name roughly translates as "Rhenish marinated meat stew". Let´s take a look at the secrets of this delicious recipe!
The primary enigma of this delicacy is the origin of its meat. It is surprising to learn that, in its original recipe, the marinated meat is horse! However, it is also true that it is preferably made with veal nowadays. Whatever the type of meat, it is always accompanied by vegetables and a wide variety of spices.
Another secret lies in how the meat, whether horse or veal, is marinated. The trick is to do it slowly, even for several days, using seasonings such as bay leaves, juniper and mustard. In this way, the meat is tenderised and flavoured, making it very tender and extremely tasty. It is then cooked in a vegetable stock made from cabbage, kale, and apples. The meat´s sauce should always be sweet and sour and contain raisins. That´s why it´s called ´Rhenish stew´! And very important, to make the sauce gelatinous, it is often topped with sweets typical of the region, reaffirming the local and traditional character of the recipe.
Finally, the recipe is accompanied by a side dish, which generally consists of small boiled potatoes, always cooked in their skins, red cabbage and sauerkraut. Depending on taste, it can also be served with applesauce to please those with a sweet tooth...
The origin of this succulent and flavoured recipe is quite curious. The Rhinelanders have been able to add their personal touch. It is known that when the Romans colonised Germania, they brought with them amphorae for transporting and storing liquids to be used in cooking. Soon, the barbarians inherited this tradition and realised that fresh food was preserved much better and for much longer if it was immersed in liquids made up of water, vinegar, salt, herbs or spices. This is how marinating and macerating food techniques were created, which differ according to the ingredients used in the preservation process.
On the other hand, the custom of eating horsemeat is as old as humankind. In Germanic culture, horses were sacrificed in honour of the Gods. Then their roasted meat was eaten at feasts, and the solid carnivorous tendency of barbarian peoples is well known! It is sweeter, more tender, nutritious, and less fatty than beef or pork.
¡ONE ALT, PLEASE!
Germany has a deep-rooted brewing tradition. Every region produces its beer, and pubs are perfect sanctuaries for worshipping the national drink. And Düsseldorf is no exception! We are in the city with the oldest brewing tradition in the country. This condition is reflected in the name of the beer brewed here, Altbier, which means "old beer".
What makes Altbier beer different is that top-fermenting yeast, also called ale yeast, is used in the brewing process, which components act at the top of the fermenter. Yeast is a collection of microscopic fungi that break down sugars or carbohydrates to generate carbon dioxide and alcohol through fermentation. Yeast is what gives life to beer, and the mix of components used in each yeast depends on the taste and know-how of the brewmaster. In fact, in the past, the Düsseldorf craft brewers were reluctant to use yeast with hops, so they used a mixture of spices and herbs. Today, hops are used in their yeast indeed and in a very select variety.
When brewer´s yeast was first used in Düsseldorf, it became so well known that neighbouring cities had to give in to it. This type of top-fermenting yeast is very suitable for cold areas, e.g., this region.
Thanks to it, beer could be brewed in Düsseldorf in the summer, whereas in the other areas was completely forbidden because the heat soured the drink. In Düsseldorf, beer could mature in barrels more extended than usual at low temperatures. The higher fermentation and lower temperatures made for more pleasant flavours. The darker malt gave it a roasted, sweetish taste, coppery colour.
This strong-flavoured speciality is produced especially for the very beer-loving. There are a few varieties, such as Sticke. Also, the Christmas beer Weihnachtsbier, which is only sold from November onwards, is the most popular beer for the Christmas Eve celebrations.
Altbier beer, or simply Alt, as it is known, is sold in specialised shops. But if you prefer to try it on the spot, you can only do so in a few of the 200 breweries in the historic centre of Düsseldorf. These are the so-called Brauerei, traditional craft breweries, and the best known are Schumacher, Füchschen, Schlüssel, Uerige and Kürzer.
And something significant! Remember that we have already told you about the rivalry between the cities of Düsseldorf and Cologne? Well, when it comes to beer, they are bitter rivals! Waiters and even customers will not miss the opportunity to make fun of anyone who dares to order a Cologne Kölsch in a Düsseldorf brewery? You are warned!
¡ONE ALT, PLEASE!
Germany has a deep-rooted brewing tradition. Every region produces its beer, and pubs are perfect sanctuaries for worshipping the national drink. And Düsseldorf is no exception! We are in the city with the oldest brewing tradition in the country. This condition is reflected in the name of the beer brewed here, Altbier, which means "old beer".
What makes Altbier beer different is that top-fermenting yeast, also called ale yeast, is used in the brewing process, which components act at the top of the fermenter. Yeast is a collection of microscopic fungi that break down sugars or carbohydrates to generate carbon dioxide and alcohol through fermentation. Yeast is what gives life to beer, and the mix of components used in each yeast depends on the taste and know-how of the brewmaster. In fact, in the past, the Düsseldorf craft brewers were reluctant to use yeast with hops, so they used a mixture of spices and herbs. Today, hops are used in their yeast indeed and in a very select variety.
When brewer´s yeast was first used in Düsseldorf, it became so well known that neighbouring cities had to give in to it. This type of top-fermenting yeast is very suitable for cold areas, e.g., this region.
Thanks to it, beer could be brewed in Düsseldorf in the summer, whereas in the other areas was completely forbidden because the heat soured the drink. In Düsseldorf, beer could mature in barrels more extended than usual at low temperatures. The higher fermentation and lower temperatures made for more pleasant flavours. The darker malt gave it a roasted, sweetish taste, coppery colour.
This strong-flavoured speciality is produced especially for the very beer-loving. There are a few varieties, such as Sticke. Also, the Christmas beer Weihnachtsbier, which is only sold from November onwards, is the most popular beer for the Christmas Eve celebrations.
Altbier beer, or simply Alt, as it is known, is sold in specialised shops. But if you prefer to try it on the spot, you can only do so in a few of the 200 breweries in the historic centre of Düsseldorf. These are the so-called Brauerei, traditional craft breweries, and the best known are Schumacher, Füchschen, Schlüssel, Uerige and Kürzer.
And something significant! Remember that we have already told you about the rivalry between the cities of Düsseldorf and Cologne? Well, when it comes to beer, they are bitter rivals! Waiters and even customers will not miss the opportunity to make fun of anyone who dares to order a Cologne Kölsch in a Düsseldorf brewery? You are warned!
THE PERFECT FRAMING
The city of Düsseldorf is divided into numbered districts. Within number 1, we find the most venerable area of the city, its historic centre, where the most representative building of the city awaits us. This is the Old Town Hall of Düsseldorf, Altes Rathaus in German, an architectural jewel frequented by visitors who want to capture it in the perfect photograph.Düsseldorf´s Altes Rathaus is an immense building, even though its construction was limited in size by the passage of the Rhine River, which runs along the back of it.
But despite its large dimensions, the building now forms only one of the five wings that make up the seat of the city government. Previously, the municipal seat had already occupied other buildings in the city. Still, Düsseldorf´s newly elected ducal chair meant that the town flourished rapidly. It was necessary to construct an administrative office that would be commensurate with its new status and much more splendid.
The lack of liquidity in the coffers forced the authorities to seek the invaluable help of their unknown benefactor. The final result was a magnificent building, very similar to the noble palaces of the time, with a solid Flemish influence and a tower more typical of a Renaissance palace than an administrative headquarters.Düsseldorf´s Old Town Hall was on the Market Square, and the Governor´s House and the House of Arts and Crafts were erected next to it. Today, a large part of Market Square is occupied by municipal government offices. In the centre stands the equestrian statue of Prince Johann Wilhelm, Jan Wellem in the local dialect, the city´s most important historical figure. Born in Düsseldorf, this prince favoured his hometown as no other of his ancestors had done before. He was an essential member of the German nobility. He served as imperial vicar and temporary regent of the empire during the months following the death of Emperor Joseph I.
It can be said that this important prince was "the brother-in-law of Europe", as his sisters have married to the leading European rulers of the time thanks to his family´s reputation for great fertility. His second wife, Anna Maria Luisa, the last heiress of the House of Medici, was also of great importance. A great patron and art lover, this noblewoman bequeathed to Florence all her inherited patrimony, which today represents the great artistic treasure of the Italian city.The perfect photograph in this square consists of the statue of the prince in such a way that it looks as if it is galloping over the Altes Rathaus. Get the perfect postcard yourself!
Altes Rathaus (Old City Hall)Marktplatz 2 40213 Düsseldorf, Germany
A TRUE SURVIVOR
The oldest surviving remnant of Düsseldorf is the Schlossturm tower on the banks of the Rhine. This beautiful tower was part of what was once an imposing castle that grew to enormous size when Johann Wilhelm, the city´s most illustrious figure mentioned above, was elevated to the rank of Prince Imperial and established his central court in Düsseldorf. But after his death and the court´s move to another city, the colossal castle was abandoned. In 1795, the lonely fortress was attacked by Napoleonic troops from across the Rhine. As a result of the offensive, the castle burned to the ground. When the area soon became part of the Kingdom of Prussia, King Friedrich Wilhelm IV, a great lover of architecture, ordered the castle´s restoration in the Renaissance style in 1845, and the elegant keep was erected. A new fire almost destroyed it twenty years later, leaving only the Schlossturm tower standing, a natural survivor.
As a result of so much misfortune, a popular legend claimed that Düsseldorf Castle was cursed and haunted. Some even swore that they had seen a headless lady dressed in black silk emerge from the smoking rubble and that she used to return to the place some nights under a curse.
Today, the Schlossturm tower houses the Maritime Museum, Germany´s oldest one. It is located on Burgplatz, a large square that stretches across the vast area once occupied by the castle and is now full of surprises. It is the ideal place to watch the sunset! Just in front of the tower, a viewing platform in the form of steps covered with brightly coloured ceramics offers a beautiful view of the other side of the river.
Nearby, in one of the corners of the square, stands the Stadterhebungsmonument, a magnificent sculpture with an almost impossible name whose scenes and allegories recreate the city´s origins. And very important! At number 12 on this square, it is the house where Goethe, the most remarkable literary figure in the German language, lived.
The most significant and most traditional popular events scene attracts millions of tourists every year. Burgplatz becomes the city´s busiest and most prominent place at particular times of the year. Its Christmas market and carnival are considered the most popular in the country. Its inhabitants look forward to the festive season.
We have left the best surprise of Burgplatz for the end: A giant Ferris wheel that offers a different way of seeing the city! A trip around Burgplatz is undoubtedly a great way to see the city!
Schlossturm Tower
Burgplatz 30
40213 Düsseldorf, Germany
LOOKING FOR URBAN ART
Düsseldorf has several sculptures and statues that are part of its artistic heritage and street furniture. A city tour looking for these works of art lets you visit its main monuments and landmarks and discover that they are not randomly placed.
We will challenge you to locate some of these sculptures and statues in this text. Although you may not know where to start at first, the best thing to do is to let yourself get carried away. We assure you that it is much easier than it looks and that the figures are much closer than you might think. Remember that almost always, whether in a square, in a busy place or in front of an iconic monument, there will be a sculpture or a statue waiting to be discovered by you.
Here are some clues to help you with the challenge. There are six statues and more than a hundred sculptures scattered around the historic centre. Initially, there were quite a few more of these works of art. Still, many of them were acquired by people or sold at auction, so their number was considerably reduced. But be confident, you will find more than one, although you must remember that they are not just any statue or sculpture. Let´s see if you can find them!
The six statues are known as Säulenhailigen in German (Stylites). They are part of a series intended to represent ordinary citizens living in Düsseldorf. They are placed on advertising columns and are made of polyester. They are strikingly realistic and depict different professions or stages in people´s lives. If you look closely, you can see a photographer shooting his camera, a bride dressed in white, a couple kissing, a couple holding hands, a man in a suit on his way to work with a briefcase in writing, or a mother holding her child in her arms. And outside the historic centre, in the port, there is another one of a very stylish girl, all of them are beautiful!
Regarding the sculptures, they symbolise the city´s oldest tradition. They are the Düsseldorfer Radschläger and depict children doing somersaults. Several theories explain the origin of this curious local tradition. Still, the most widely accepted one tells that when Düsseldorf was victorious in battle against its eternal rival, the city of Cologne, it received the privilege of being a Free City, and children began cartwheeling of happiness.
These cheerful shapes can be found in places as diverse as fountains, storm drains and even church doors. They are highly original and highly artistic. The people´s will has kept the tradition alive today with celebrations and events in which the youngest members of the city participate by doing somersaults.
Take up our challenge and discover a different and fun way to enjoy Düsseldorf!
THE MOST BELOVED IMPERFECT TOWER
Curiously, a city as important as Düsseldorf lacks a cathedral, but this does not mean that the town has no remarkable temple. On the contrary, Düsseldorf has a charming church that is probably its oldest historic building and has a beautiful peculiarity. The small Church of St. Lambert, one of the four Catholic churches in Düsseldorf, lies on the Rhine and is also one of its architectural treasures. It has a distinctive feature that attracts all eyes...a leaning wooden tower!
The explanation for this architectural deviation lies in a curious construction flaw. Still, it has nothing to do with a measurement or calculation error... After a fire in which the original tower was lost, it turned out that a new building was built using the original wood that was still somewhat damp. This wood ended up giving the tower a curious and striking lean. This was not the first time this church had been seriously damaged. Previously, it had already suffered the ravages of a storm and the shockwave from a powder magazine´s explosion. Another survivor!
Local legend has it that the devil himself provoked the leaning of this tower, as Satan is said to have twisted the bell tower in a fit of rage. Whether it was the devil´s fault or the damp wood´s, to this day, the building of St. Lambert´s Church is still there, showing off its deflection, defying gravity and forming part of Düsseldorf´s artistic iconography. It is even the subject of an amusing popular joke, in which it is claimed that the tower will straighten out again when a young virgin marries in this church...
But it was not all misfortune for this little temple... When the city became the ducal capital decreed by the emperor, it experienced a tremendous social, economic and religious boom, spending a lot of money to fill the town with relics, making Düsseldorf an essential centre of pilgrimage. For example, the relics of St. Apollinaris, the saint who became the city´s patron saint, were brought to Düsseldorf. The relics of St. Lambert were also brought here and rested in a small parish church, which was enlarged and henceforth consecrated under the name of St. Lambert as the Church of St. Lambert.
The inhabitants of Düsseldorf are so fond of St Lambert´s Church and its leaning tower that there is a beautiful anecdote in its history... Unfortunately, the building was destroyed when the Allied air force bombed the city during World War II. The people begged for it to be rebuilt, but with the same inclination! And so it was.
At 72 metres high, the leaning tower of the small St. Lambert´s Church can be seen from many corners of the city, rivalling in slenderness other more modern buildings in Düsseldorf.
St. Lambertuskirche
Stiftsplatz 1
40213 Düsseldorf, Germany
Entrance free / Open Mondays from 15.30 h to 18.30 h and from Tuesdays to Sundays from 9 h to 18.30 h
THE FUTURE IS ALREADY HERE…
Düsseldorf is the perfect place to discover how surprising and curious architecture can be. Strolling through the city and coming across buildings you wouldn´t expect, you´ll be amazed. Düsseldorf´s architecture is so diverse and disparate that it leaves no one indifferent.
Just as with art, such buildings may or may not be liked, but their intention is always to attract attention. And this is precisely the intention of the walking tour we propose to you in Düsseldorf. Modern, futuristic, traditional... we will see buildings of all styles!
We begin our tour in the historic centre, in the direction of Grabbeplatz 5, where we will find the spectacular K20, a unique building of black granite and glass, with very curved lines, which houses the Museum of Contemporary Art of Düsseldorf. Less than 500 metres from K20 is Königsalle, one of the country´s most elegant and exclusive streets. At the very beginning of this select street is the Kö-Bogen, a spectacular modern shopping centre with a glass and white stone façade pierced by hypnotic diagonal bars.
There´s nothing better than a short walk to assimilate the impression made by these first two architectural gems. We walk south along the Königsallee promenade until we reach Ständehausstrasse 1, where K21 awaits us, an exhibition centre that is part of the same institution as K20. It is a baroque palace with a surprisingly magical interior. It consists of an open-plan structure covered with a glass and steel dome, hanging interconnecting spheres that you can walk through! And something even more impressive: part of K21 is built under a lagoon that can be seen from inside the building through a glass window. Incredible!
After leaving the magic of K21, we head towards the banks of the Rhine until we reach Mannermannufer 1, where an elongated glass hall invites us to enter the Kunst Im Tunnel, an underground art gallery. We continue along the Rhine until we reach the harbour area, where Medienhafen awaits us, a futuristic city in which state-of-the-art buildings alternate with historic buildings from the industrial era. Here, you will come across the iconic distorted houses that appear to be dancing, designed by the brilliant Frank Ghery. In addition to the "dancing houses", in Medienhafen you can enjoy other tremendously avant-garde buildings such as the tower that seems to be built with Lego pieces, our already famous Rheinturm telecommunications tower or the Hafenspitze complex, a fully glazed office building supported on a cube that also has an enigmatic UFO...
After this ninety-minute walk, during which we have been able to contemplate so much architectural extravagance, we will ask ourselves: are we already in the future?
THE GREEN ISLAND WAS BORN AFTER A WAR
In the heart of Düsseldorf lies one of the favourite places of its inhabitants. It is the Hofgarten, an extensive green area of 27 hectares, perfect for disconnecting from the world, breathing fresh air, taking a pleasant walk, or reading a good book. It also has the honour of being the oldest public park in Germany.
Believe it or not, creating this idyllic park came about after a war in the XVIII century. After the attacks, the area outside the walls of Düsseldorf, where the residential palaces were located, had been badly damaged, as had the city´s fortifications. As a result of a municipal decision and a programme to create jobs for the neediest people, it was decided to hire 700 people to clean up this devastated area and create gardens around a pond. In this way, thanks to these dedicated workers´ hard work and commitment, the desolate landscape became a haven of peace.
The Hofgarten is so beautiful that the view from any point in the park is like a picturesque landscape painted on a canvas. Its immense gardens are striking contrast, with meadows full of fantastic vegetation, symmetrical flower gardens and a very young forest that had to be replanted after a storm devastated its two-hundred-year-old trees in 2014.
In the centre of this urban paradise is a large pond fed by the waters of the river Düssel, the small tributary of the Rhine that gives the city its name. This serene lake has a famous sculpture that serves as an original fountain and around which swans, the true lords and masters of this lagoon, are always swarming. Surrounding these calm waters are solemn and beautiful sculptures, such as the Monument to the Fallen Soldiers or the Fairytale Fountain, which attract many visitors who allow themselves to be captivated by their magic, without forgetting other works of art that will surprise us as we wander through different areas of the Hofgarten, totally absorbed by the mysticism that this green paradise exudes. In this welcoming park, sumptuous baroque palaces can´t be missed, which line the entire side of the gardens.
The monumentality of this lyrical park does not stop here: the "green island", as the inhabitants of Düsseldorf call the Hofgarten, is also surrounded by the city´s most important museums and historic buildings. Natural beauty surrounded by architectural splendour!
Hofgarten
40213 Düsseldorf, Germany
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