E-Paper City Guide Düsseldorf

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Willkommen Welcome to Düsseldorf Everything’s close together in Düsseldorf. We are the only major German city that still has the word “dorf” (village) in its name – although it has long since become a global village. And that’s entirely in tune with the tolerant and cosmopolitan way of life that is cultivated everywhere in the city. This is why you’ll feel completely at home in Düsseldorf. The Rhinelanders quickly give you a sense of belonging. Take a seat in one of our famous brewery inns or sit for a while on the steps of the Rheintreppe (Rhine Terrace Steps). You’ll quickly discover that people love to chat. Allow our magazine to inspire you. You’ll pick up some interesting details about well-known buildings and popular spots. We have plenty of anecdotes for you and also show you the best places to take photos. We’re happy to share our city with you. The Düsseldorf Tourism Team #VisitDuesseldorf 3

City centre Our tip If you want to find out more about the Altstadt (Old Town) and its stories, book a guided tour of the Altstadt. For those who want to con- centrate on culinary delights, there’s a three-hour Food Walk that will even take you to a mustard shop and a spice emporium. More: www. visitduesseldorf.de Where can I find the longest bar in the world? You won’t find the “longest bar in the world” in a bar. In fact, this term describes an entire microcosm that takes in over 260 hostelries, bars and restaurants in Düsseldorf’s Altstadt (Old Town). It has already been a melting pot of all social classes for 350 years. It’s the quarter in Düsseldorf where anybody can find what they’re looking for – be it a fashion boutique, an art museum or a brewery inn. What makes Altbier different from other beers? Altbier can be described as a trad- itional (top-fermented) craft beer. It has always been hand-made – long before the art of brewing was supposedly re- discovered. And it’s also “altbier” brown and tastes delicious! Why is the waiter so unfriendly to me? Don’t be taken aback if the waiter at a brewery inn is a little brusque. It’s part of his job spec but there’s no malice intended. The breweries best embody the typical Rhineland way of life. The distinctive charm of the brewery inns with their long wooden tables, big servings and great conversations brings people together. Anyone can take a seat here and the “Köbes” (waiter) will bring over a fresh draught beer. Tip: The waiter will keep bringing you fresh beer until you cover your 0.2-litre glass with your beer mat. In summer people also stand outside, in front of the brewery inns and bars. Getting back to your accommodation? No problem! You’ll find an underground station and taxis on Heinrich-Heine-Allee. Why should I take a Food Walk? Nowhere else will you find so many dif- ferent international foods in one place – from the famous pizza on cardboard plates to Asian street food to premium steak in the Andreas Quarter. The brew- ery inns serve up rustic cuisine. A very popular dish is Rhenish sauerbraten Is there also street food at the traditional weekly market? Welcome to Düsseldorf’s beating heart! Welcome to Carlsplatz! Ranging from soup kitchen to patisserie, Carlsplatz offers a vast spectrum of culinary specialities – and you are more than welcome to take photos. A feast of colours and aromas. In recent years the market has reinvented itself. Lots of modern street food concepts are now in attendance and you can enjoy wine from fantastic winemakers. Meanwhile, many florists, butchers and fishmongers can still tell you plenty of anecdotes about times past when the market still had to be dismantled every evening. Köbes Carlsplatz Photo: Sabrina Weniger © Wochenmarkt Karlplatz GmbH & CO. KG 9

City centre Our tip The Altstadt (Old Town) has always been a meeting point for many musicians. Famous bands such as Kraftwerk or Die Toten Hosen have their roots here. The German punk scene came together on Ratinger Straße at the end of the 1970s. If you’d like to take a stroll around the 15 most historic places for Düsseldorf pop music, check out the online guide “Sound of #urbanana”: www. nrw-tourismus.de/ soundofurbanana. So what’s really old in the Altstadt (Old Town)? Quite a lot. Even though Düsseldorf is a relatively young city, our former fishing village still has plenty of history. Stand somewhere near the Gothic Kreuz- herrenkirche – the church attached to Düsseldorf’s first monastery – and you’ll feel that you really are back in the “village on the Düssel”. On nearby Stiftsplatz you will see the Church of St. Lambertus, surrounded by pretty little brick houses. The twisted church tower is one of the most striking landmarks on the Düsseldorf skyline. It is also a signpost – to the quietest part of the otherwise bustling Altstadt. Who are the two men quarrelling in the Altstadt (Old Town)? The name of the bronze sculpture is “Die Auseinandersetzung” (Dispute) and was made in the mid-1970s. It stands not on a pedestal but directly on the ground on Mittelstraße in the Altstadt. At the time, the group around sculptor Karl-Henning Seemann was exploring the conflict between the 1968 genera- tion and their parents and grandparents who had experienced the Second World War. The sculpture expresses the mutual misunderstanding in the shape of a quarrel. In the meantime, it has become one of the most-photographed works of art in the city. One almost feels compelled to step in between the two men and make peace. It’s a typical phenomenon: those who see it for the first time want to take sides – with the “fat one” or the “thin one”. Die Auseinandersetzung 10

allee Our tip The “Kö” isn’t only a shopping street and a boulevard. It is also the setting for numerous events. These range from book markets to gourmet festivals to sports events such as marathons and cycling races. Find out more in our online calendar at: www.visitduessel- dorf.de Where does this famous street’s name come from? At one time, the “Kö” was known as Kastanienallee because it was lined with magnificent chestnut trees. However, in 1848 the King of Prussia, Frederick William IV, announced a visit to Düsseldorf – then a quite sleepy town. Enraged by what they saw as unjust Prussian edicts, the populace gave the king an anarchic welcome – pelting him with horse dung. One such missile is even said to have actually hit his coat. To restore the city to the king’s good graces, Kastanienallee was swiftly renamed “Königsallee” (King’s Avenue). Is it really true that prices here are astronomical? Well, deep pockets are definitely an ad- vantage. Those who love luxury brands will find everything their hearts desire here. But there’s also a more afford- able option. Simply take a seat in one of the pavement cafés, order a latte, and watch people strolling past. It’s almost like a fashion show. Kö-Bogen 14

City centre Why are there green parrots flying around in the trees? Because these smart birds live here for free. Actually native to Africa and Asia, these ring-necked parakeets took up residence in the Rhineland some years ago. In Düsseldorf, they’ve picked the grandest address they could find. Dur- ing the day, these green birds swoop around in the neighbouring Hofgarten park. At dusk, you can hear and see a nature spectacle: the parakeets return and choose their roosts in the plane trees on the “Kö”. How many bridges are there on Königsallee? Three. And with their ornate balus- trades, they’re the perfect backdrop for a little photo shoot. At the northern end, you will see not only beautiful Corneliusplatz and the architecturally imposing Kö-Bogen, but also Hof- garten – Germany’s oldest public park. Shopping Kö-Graben 15

Hafen Why couldn’t the architects decide on a single style? The rehabilitation of the old port is one of Düsseldorf’s most spectacular projects. National and international “starchitects” such as Helmut Jahn, David Chipperfield or Renzo Piano have been immortalised here over the last 30 years. What’s special is that the archi- tectural diversity produces a creative connection with the river and shipping. The buildings have distinctive names such as Wolkenbügel, SIGN! or The Living Bridge. The MedienHafen can be easily covered on foot. What are the flashing lights on the Rheinturm (Rhine Tower)? What looks like signal lights for the ships on the Rhine is actually the city’s biggest timepiece. This is a decimal clock on which you can read the time to the precise second – if you know how to do it. Working from top to bottom, the lights display ten-hour blocks, single hours and blocks of ten minutes. And by the way, standing at a height of 240.5 metres, the Rhine Tower is the city’s tallest building. Apart from its viewing platform, it also houses a restaurant. Are the old port cranes still operating? These days the port cranes tend to serve more as the subject of photos. However, even though classic port work has over time been transferred to neighbouring Neuss, the earthy, rough atmosphere of a port is still evident in the MedienHafen. The patina of quay walls, cast-iron railings and rail track provides a compelling contrast with the otherwise vibrant mood. Our tip The Düsseldorf window test: if you’re feeling brave enough, you can lie on the tilted glass surfaces in the Rheinturm (Rhine Tower). It’s worth it for the unique bird’s eye view – and the admiring glances of the other Rheinturm visitors. 16

City centre Our tip How can I find out more about these spectacular buildings? Simply take a guided tour of the Medien- Hafen with Düsseldorf Tourismus. www. visitduesseldorf.de Has a UFO landed at the tip of the headland? One of the most beautiful viewing points in Düsseldorf is Pebble’s Terrace behind which one can see the luxurious Hyatt Hotel. You can take a seat here beside the UFO-like pavilion – clad with aluminium shingles – and drink a sundowner. A truly premium spot where you can enjoy an unobstructed view of the city and the river. Where are the most selfies taken? The Gehry Buildings are extremely pop- ular with Instagrammers, fashion pho- tographers and adult education courses courses in photography. In fact, there is always someone taking a picture here. The three swaying towers in white, silver and red are the most eye-catch- ing feature of the MedienHafen. Tilted walls, warped towers, windows canted within the walls – every detail is worth a photo. The Californian architect Frank O. Gehry, who previously designed the spectacular Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, bestowed a magnificent gift on Düsseldorf. There is not a single straight line in the three side-by-side build- ings. The ensemble – mainly home to advertisers, lawyers and architects – is known as the “Neuer Zollhof”. Pebble’s Gehry Buildings 17

Was Düsseldorf always directly on the Rhine? You have to imagine: 55,000 motor vehicles used to drive directly along the Rhine every day. Until someone finally came up with the idea of bringing the city back to the Rhine – it was a once-in-a-lifetime project for Düssel- dorf. As a result, since 1995 it has once again been possible to stroll along the Rhine embankment promenade. The wavy cobbles are a nod to the Rhine’s proximity. In the meantime, it is not only pedestrians and cyclists who come here: there are also lots of skaters on Joseph-Beuys-Ufer. Why should I stroll along the Rhine embankment? Because this is where you can see how the city really lives. If you take the footpath or cycle track, you’ll regularly come across boules players, rolling their balls. Or you may see tango dancers twirling in front of the Johannes Rau Monument. It’s a beautiful two-kilo- metre walk from the MedienHafen to Kunstakademie – or vice versa. On the way, the plane trees that line the Rhine embankment are a particularly pleasing sight, and the leaf canopy is often photographed. Why are there sheep in the middle of the city? From springtime to autumn, the Rhine meadows on the Oberkassel riverbank belong to the sheep. They and their shepherds stand for deceleration – in the heart of the city. The sheep patiently munch the grass and they are an inte- gral part of the Düsseldorf cityscape. Here’s a little-known fact: these flocks of sheep do an important job. They ensure that the grass is kept short. Otherwise the city would have to Our tip When you’re in Düsseldorf, you also have to change your perspective once in a while. One of the most enjoyable recreational choices is a cruise – either around the MedienHafen or as far as Kaiserswerth. More: www. visitduesseldor f.de 18

City centre Kuhna Wall Kasematten Tonhalle terrace 19 mow the meadows constantly. Apart from that, thanks to their body weight they also help with the upkeep of the embankment, acting sort of like lawn rollers. Where can I get the best view of the river? On the terrace of the Tonhalle, at the Kasematten (casemates), or on the steps of the Rheintreppe (Rhine Terrace Steps) on Burgplatz. The Rheintreppe is not only the best place on the Rhine to watch cargo and cruise ships. One is also sitting in the middle of a huge work of art. Professor Hermann-Josef Kuhna, an alumnus of Düsseldorf’s Kunstaka- demie, and 20 art students spent 7,400 work hours painting the bare concrete walls. Today, “Rivertime” is made of co- loured shards of pottery. It’s the perfect backdrop for a portrait photo.

City centre Our tip Our HopOn HopOff bus is a real culture taxi. It also makes a call at the “Kunst- akademie” and this is the perfect stop if you want to visit the big museums in the Altstadt (Old Town) and the Ehrenhof. You can board the red double-decker in various places such as the central station, in the MedienHafen or on Burgplatz. More: www.visitduessel- dorf.de Which great artists studied at the Kunstakademie? The Kunstakademie has produced many artists who have achieved world fame. Professors such as Gerhard Richter or Joseph Beuys were influential teachers. The “Düsseldorfer Fotoschule” founded by Bernd and Hilla Becher has been particularly inspiring. Its best known members include Thomas Ruff, Thomas Struth – and Andreas Gursky. His 1999 work “Rhine II” is considered to be the world’s most expensive photo- graph. At the time it sold at an auction in New York for 3.1 million euros. Where can you clamber through nets 25 metres above the ground beneath a glass dome? Tomás Saraceno’s installation “in orbit” extends like a surreal landscape across an area of 2,500 square metres above the plaza of K21 Ständehaus. Those daring enough can climb up and explore the transparent steel nets which are spread across three levels. If there are a number of people on the nets at the same time, each can sense the presence of others from their vibrations – just like a spider in its web. This floating space thus becomes a swaying network of relationships, resonances and synchron- ous communication. Why do people so often stand in front of the multicoloured wall at K20? Colourfully eye-catching, it stands behind the glistening black Kunstsamm- lung K20 building on Grabbeplatz. The wall-length mosaic created by British-American artist Sarah Morris for Paul-Klee-Platz is called “Hornet”. The glazed coloured tiles are frequently photographed. How do I get from K20 to K21? There’s a very handy solution: a free shuttle bus operates between the K20 Grabbeplatz and the K21 Ständehaus museums. There are also plenty of bikes for hire from various providers at central points in Düsseldorf. You can cycle from one museum to the other in only ten minutes. What building is popularly known as the Kunstbunker? Kunsthalle, a typical example of brutal- ist architecture, stands opposite K20. It was made from prefabricated concrete sections. Here’s a little-known fact: you can see world-famous open-air action art there for free. Discover Joseph Beuys’ black stovepipe that protrudes from the Kunsthalle’s façade. Beuys was one of the most vehement critics of the architectural style and wanted the mu- seum to be able to breathe in fresh air. K21 K20 21

City centre Kunstpalast Why are people lying on the floor of the Kunstpalast, staring up at the ceiling? Housed in the Ehrenhof, the Kunstpalast is a vibrant art space. The paintings, graphic art, sculptures and glass objects in the collection range from the ancient world to the 21st century. Sometimes we need a different perspective to understand art properly. The video work “Fish Flies on Sky” by Nam June Paik is applied in mosaic style to the ceiling and is best appreciated when lying down. That’s not a problem with the gigantic comfy couch. What does one do in Düsseldorf with a spare tunnel? A road – Rheinuferstraße – was put underground in 1993 to make way for the Rhine embankment promenade. What remained between the tunnel tubes was an around 140-metre-long elliptical space. It was simply too big and interesting to let it go to waste. Af- ter various events were initially staged there as an experiment, the site became a place for young, contemporary art in 2007. “KIT – Kunst im Tunnel” hosts around four to six temporary exhibitions per year. These focus on sculpture, painting, photography, video and installation art. Access is via the above- ground café pavilion, where events with live music are regularly staged. The café also has a terrace which gives visitors a fantastic view of the Rhine. Why were six of our underground stations worth a story in the New York Times? Next stop: art. The six stations on the Wehrhahn Line are more than just tran- sit spots for travellers. They were jointly developed by engineers and artists. Each station has a distinctive character with pictorial, sculptural, interactive, aural or geometrical qualities. Those who want to find out more can immerse themselves in the underground on the Wehrhahn Line guided tour. Individual guided tours in English are also availa- ble for groups. More: www.visitdues- seldorf.de What are sharks, penguins and crocodiles doing in the Nordpark? The Nordpark, with its Japanese Garden, is one of the city’s most beau- tiful green spaces. It contains not only Our tip The UrbanArt guided tour takes place every Saturday from 12:00 to 14:00. Klaus Ross- kothen, owner and curator of the Pretty Portal urban art gal- lery reveals the most exciting works of art on Düsseldorf’s walls. Typical Düsseldorf: “ghost” stickers from the Pac-Man video game by “Pdot”. More: www.visitduessel- dorf.de 22

City centre Our tip Would you like to know more about cultural events in Düsseldorf? Just take a look at our online calendar at www. visitduesseldorf.de Why has a refreshment kiosk become a place of pilgrimage? It all started when Fortuna fans cycling to the football stadium chose the kiosk – conveniently located on the Rhine – as their meeting point. And as an opportunity to grab a “quick one for the road”. These days you’ll see a cross-section of society there when the weather’s fine – sitting on the wall, enjoying a cold drink and a view of the sunset. And today, the kiosk is simply known by everybody as the “Fortuna- Büdchen”. It serves fast food such as frankfurters, rissoles and the “Fortuna roll” which is unique to Düsseldorf. What is it? Just order one and see for yourself! beautifully kept flower beds, fountains and valuable trees, but also houses over 500 animal species. Sharks, penguins and crocodiles are as much at home there as are bird-eating spiders and snakes. But don’t worry – the animals aren’t running wild. You can see them at the Aquazoo Löbbecke Museum which is in the middle of the park. What are those figures standing on advertising pillars in many places around the city? A kissing couple, a woman with a child in her arms or a man taking a photo- graph. Are they real people? No, they are stylites; sculptures made from polyester and acrylic paint, created by Düsseldorf artist Christoph Pöggeler. Pöggeler’s works – scattered around the city centre – exemplify different characters in society. Tracking down the stylites throughout the city has now become a recognised sport. Once people have started to photograph the sculptures, they don’t usually stop until they’ve snapped all ten of them. Fortuna-Büdchen 23

Oberkassel Why does Oberkassel have so many old residential buildings? Nowhere else in Düsseldorf are there as many art deco houses as in Oberkass- el. And why? Although around 90 per cent of Düsseldorf’s housing stock was damaged or destroyed during air raids in the Second World War, the bombs did little harm to the district on the left bank (western side) of the Rhine. With one architectural gem after the other in evidence, the properties directly overlooking the Rhine are particularly well preserved. Coupled with the flocks of sheep who regularly graze on the meadows on the opposite side of the Rhine, they are a popular subject for photographers. What happens on the expansive Rheinwiesen meadows? Depending on the weather, the Rhein- wiesen meadows are used for active recreation – from marathon training to a leisurely game of football to kite flying. There are more relaxed options too! People like meeting here for a picnic, or simply sit and enjoy the sun. There are also lots of cyclists on the embank- ments. And last but not least, this is where the “biggest funfair on the Rhine” is set up every year. It’s an exciting world of rides and marquees. Where will I find the city’s smallest cinema? Souterrain is one of the last classic art house cinemas. Hidden away below ground, you only discover it at second glance. You enter it through Café Muggel, a popular meeting place for Oberkassel society. Behind the counter, visitors go down a staircase to the cosy basement cinema which has its own bar. Uniquely, patrons sit in the cinema on café chairs at little bistro tables. Our tip From Oberkassel you have an unobstructed view of the city sky- line with its famous landmarks such as the Schlossturm (palace tower), the Altstadt (Old Town), the Rheinturm (Rhine Tower) and the Gehry Buildings. 26

City districts Our tip Düsseldorf is home to numerous little coffee roasters, most with their own café, who cultivate modern coffee culture. In Oberkassel, coffee lovers gather at “Kaffeeschmiede” and “Die Röstmeister”. How “Gulasch Alt” got its name? The owner of the still young brewery inn, Klaus Unterwaining, is often asked whether Gulasch Alt really does taste like beef goulash. However, the name only has an indirect connection with this dish. In fact, it comes from Unter- waining’s nickname which he earned because of his favourite food: goulash. Beer has been served at “Alter Bahnhof Oberkassel” since 2011, increasing the number of brewery inns in Düsseldorf to seven. Who has made contemporary video art an integral part of district life? Julia Stoschek is a patron of the arts, a collector and the founder of a pri- vate museum. She shows time-based media art at her over 100-year-old art repository at Schanzen- straße 54. Julia Stoschek’s collection, which opened in 2007, focuses on video pieces, installations and photographs by artists such as Nam June Paik, Bruce Nauman and Ólafur Elíasson. Admission to the annual exhibitions is free of charge. Oberkassel ~ 10 min. public transport Hauptbahnhof (central station) Art deco Rheinwiesen 27

Our tip Nightlife in this district differs from that in the Altstadt (Old Town). Much revolves around live music and dance. There are numerous event venues such as the tanzhaus NRW, Capitol Theater, Stahlwerk and zakk, as well as smaller ones like AK47 and Weltkunstzimmer. What’s the story behind this famously colourful street? In the 1980s housing was in very short supply in Düsseldorf and squatters occupied several houses on Kiefern- straße. The new residents decorated their houses with graffiti art extending up to the roofs. It is here that one can still see the roots of political art. Today, however, this street is about so much more than street art – it remains a model for an alternative lifestyle – with creative space, a cultural office with its own gallery and a punk rock club. In times past, tourists were usually advised to avoid the street. Today, the open- air gallery is one of the city’s highlight artistic attractions. Why is Flingern so popular with fashion designers and gallery owners? 20 years ago, a large number of students and artists started moving into Flingern because of the affordable rents. The trendy bars, pubs and shops that opened up as a result attracted more and more people with money to the district. Yes, Flingern is indeed undergoing the typical tanzhaus nrw ~ 10 min. public transport Flingern Hauptbahnhof (central station) 28 Photo: Katja Illner

City districts transformation to former workers’ dis- tricts that is taking place in many cities. Flingern, however, continues to put up a token fight against gentrification. It is home to a gallery world that is without compare. And the fashion designers are still here, in the properties to the rear. Creative people continue to seek and find their urban niches in this up-and- coming district: at live-in studios, old industrial buildings or back-yard work- shops. The most exciting representatives of this sector include Marion Strehlow, Tina Miyake and Laurence Leleux. Where can I buy clothes and other home-made items? Small boutiques and owner-run shops are centred around Ackerstraße. You can find distinctive clothes, pop- culture art prints, Scandinavian designer furniture and vinyl records. Numerous cafés and restaurants have settled in and around Ackerstraße as well as on Hermannplatz or Birkenstraße. A gen- uine veteran in this creative district is Café Hüftgold – famous for its cakes. Our tip Flingern is a popular playground for graffiti artists. One can take a stroll and look at these works of art, most of which are freely accessible. Artist Joseph Beuys looks at observers from a wall on Erkrather Straße and reminds them: “He who does not want to think will be expelled.” Vinyl Unique pieces Photo: Ronny Hendrichs 29

City districts Our tip If you want to feel like a real resident of this district, pay a visit to the Rhenish Farmers’ Market on Friedens- plätzchen: Tuesdays from 8:00–13:00 and Fridays from 10:00–18:00. All of the products on sale come from within a radius of no more than 80 kilometres. To what does Lorettostraße owe its distinctive charm? Owner-run businesses with personal service, creative people who love what they do, and restaurants where patrons instantly feel at home. Lorettostraße and the area around it convey a very special feeling. It’s a place to belong. It’s a place to drift. It’s a place to chill out. What does this district have to do with Frida Kahlo? “Oh, Diego, let’s just forget everything around us and while away the day with tapas and wine.” The Frida tapas bar in Unterbilk has taken this quote from Frida Kahlo as its motto, and promptly built a shrine to the Mexican painter. And this motto fits perfectly with the rest of the district, which is colourful, life-affirming and straightforward. Why isn’t there any soap at “Seifen Horst”? Soap was indeed sold here for half a century. The subsequent owner retained a great deal of the furnishings, and cake and coffee are now served here in a charmingly shabby setting. The café has not one but two terraces – one in front so patrons can observe the hustle and bustle, the other in the homely back yard. When is the café in Florapark open? Patrons can take in the view of the over 100-year-old Florapark and enjoy tasty food and drink from 14:00 during the week and from 12:00 at weekends. The owners set great store by good ingre- dients, so they serve Fair Trade tea and coffee, home-made wholefood cakes and organic juices. Tip: try the spelt flour waffle. How do I get from here to the MedienHafen? Easy! Just go in the direction of the Rheinturm (Rhine Tower). The 240.5-metre-high television tower constantly pops into view above the house roofs. Once you’ve reached the Rheinturm, you’ll be looking straight at the MedienHafen. Seifen Horst auptbahnhof central station) Loretto district 31

Our tip The palace regularly provides a distinctive setting for events such as its own Christmas market. In summer, classical concerts – often accompanied by light shows or firework displays – frequently take place in the palace park. A particularly popular combination is the open-air concert and picnic. More: www. visitduesseldorf.de 32 How come there’s a fairy-tale palace like this in Düsseldorf? Elector Karl Theodor had the hunting and garden palace built in Benrath in 1755. It is a little gem. No other Euro- pean monument from this period is so well preserved. The attempt to produce an overall composition of architecture, garden art and sculpture is typical of the late baroque period just before the transition to Neoclassicism. The archi- tect was the “Intendant of the gardens and waterworks” at the Mannheim royal court, Nicolas de Pigage. Why do I have to put on oversized felt slippers before entering? Those taking a tour of the palace are asked in the vaulted cellar to cover their shoes. That is why they put on roomy felt slippers on which they can glide elegantly around the palace. There’s a very good reason: the smooth floors are extremely valuable and wear-and-tear has to be avoided. And let’s not forget the fun factor of slippers on these sur- faces! What will I see as I slide around? The rooms are richly ornamented with parquet, wall panelling and stucco. Please note that the palace can only be viewed on one of the guided tours. Las- ting around one hour, they take place at 30-minute intervals. What crowned heads have visited the palace? In 1965 Queen Elizabeth II was given a suitably royal welcome to Düssel- dorf South, inclusive in an open-top Mercedes 600. Queen Silvia of Sweden has visited not once but twice. The Shah of Persia came too, and the most recent royal guest was Prince Albert II of Monaco. Why should I explore the palace park? The palace park is open to the public and the palace and its park uniquely

City districts Schloss Benrath Benrath Palace Hauptbahnhof (central station) ~ 10 min. public transport Benrath Palace café illustrate the history of European garden art because all styles are represented at Benrath. In fact, the world’s first Museum of Garden Art was opened here in 2002 in the palace’s elaborately restored east wing. The inner courtyard, with its collection of ancient lemon trees, is a lovely place to relax for a while, particularly in summer. What else does the palace have to offer? The Naturkundemuseum (Museum of Natural History) in the west wing is all about the fish in the Rhine and about birds. The famous bird clock announces the time with the voices of indigenous songbirds. Later excursion: strongly re- commended. And every enjoyable tour is crowned by a visit to the palace café. Dome hall 33

City districts Our tip If you don’t want to travel by ship to Kaiserswerth, you can hire one of the bikes that you’ll find every- where in Düsseldorf city centre. Starting at Burgplatz, you cycle north along the Rhine. Distance: twelve kilometres. Why should Kaiserswerth be a must for my itinerary? This northern district is much older than Düsseldorf itself and a fantastic contrast to the modern city centre. The historic centre of the town, with its 17th century baroque houses, and the imposing ruins of the former imperial palace – the Kaiserpfalz – are the perfect setting for a relaxed stroll. Why does Düsseldorf have an imperial palace in the first place? In the Middle Ages, rulers reigned not from a capital city, but from their sad- dles. That is why they needed spacious accommodation for themselves and their retinues as they constantly trav- elled around. In 1174, Emperor Frederick I, known as Barbarossa, ordered that the Rhine toll station be moved to Kaisers- werth and he had the Kaiserpfalz palace built shortly afterwards – surrounded by four-metre-thick walls. The ruins that stand here today bear witness to the eventful history of the palace which was stormed and rebuilt several times. From Easter to the end of October, visitors can explore these picturesque ruins from 9:00 to 18:00. Is the strawberry cake at Alte Rheinfähre really the best in the city? It’s certainly delicious – as Ralf Hütter, lead singer with legendary band Kraftwerk, revealed in an interview with Zeit magazine. By time the interviewer arrived, Hütter had already polished off his first slice. The secret is in the thin pastry base. The best thing to do is go there yourself and order a slice – natu- rally with a big dollop of whipped cream. Another place worth a visit is the hugely popular Burghof beer garden right beside Kaiserpfalz. It’s a great place to watch the sunset. What’s the most convenient way of getting to Kaiserswerth? From the end of March until October, the best way is by ship. Enjoy the river breeze on the hour-long cruise north along the Rhine from the Altstadt (Old Town). Enjoy a cold drink and watch the museums, exhibition centre and Rhine meadows slip past – the most relaxing way of sightseeing ever! transport auptbahnhof central station) Rhine view Kaiserpfalz 35

Düsseldorf Live close Feel free Book online now 7 stops, 10 languages Every stop tells a story Adults Children €18 €8 www.visitduesseldorf.de/en/ public-guided-tours €3 discount with the DüsseldorfCard* Your organiser Düsseldorfer CityTour e.K. Mündelheimer Weg 10, 40472 Düsseldorf * for the price of an adult, two children go free with each paying adult

Tourist Office Information At central station Immermannstraße 65 b 40210 Düsseldorf Opening hours Mon.–Fri. 9:30–15:30 Services – Information – Hotel reservations – Sightseeing tours www.visitduesseldorf.de – Guided walks – Boat tours – Tickets – DüsseldorfCard – Art:card/Art:walk48 ticket – Souvenirs Published by: Benrather Straße 9 40213 Düsseldorf T +49 211 17 202-0 info@visitduesseldorf.de 38 Photos: © Düsseldorf Tourismus GmbH © Düsseldorf Tourismus GmbH, Photographer: U. Otte © Thorsten Donig, www.thorstendonig.de Errors and omissions excepted. Information subject to change. 11/2018-EN 65.000