Altstadt
Posted by Brigitte Cox on Mon, Jun 14, 2010 @ 03:22 PM
The ‘Altstadt’ (Old Town) is the historic town center of Düsseldorf. There is much to see and taste! Here is a glimpse – then you can explore this wonderful part of town on your own during your visit to Düsseldorf.
On the south side of the Altstadt a quiet and romantic flair prevails, dominated by the Marxkirche (church) and the small, dreamy Citadellstrasse. If you are lucky, you might just catch an organ concert in the beautiful Baroque church. The Citadellstrasse is lined with neoclassical house fronts, looking much as they did during Heinrich Heine’s day. At its end is the former palace of Count Spee, which houses a part of Düsseldorf’s City Museum. In Bäckergasse you’ll find a wrought iron gate, behind which is the most romantic park in the city: the old Palace
Park with its stately trees and idyllic Lake.
On Bernrather Strasse is the very lively Karlsplatz, where a market is set up daily. This is the center of Karlstadt in the Altstadt, where you’ll find quite a few 18th century patrician houses.
Cultural institutes, galleries and countless gastronomical possibilities, an active pub scene as well as quiet streets await you here.
At the Marktplatz (market square) you’ll discover the famous monument to Electoral Price Wilhelm von der Pfalz, lovingly called ‘Jan Wellem’ by Düsseldorf’s residents. Those who seek the hustle and bustle of crowds will find what they are looking for in the streets that lead away from the Marktstrasse and Bergerstrasse:
Boutiques, pubs and taverns where Düsseldorf’s world-famous Altbier (ale) is served. Here you’ll be able to experience just why Düsseldorf’s old town district is repeatedly referred to as ‘the longest bar counter in the world’.
A surprisingly different atmosphere can be found in the little Schneider-Wibbel-Gasse, a small street filled with Spanish restaurants, one next to the other, which invite you to stop and sample their cuisine.
To finish your tour, take a walk along the Rhine river promenade to enjoy the beautiful view of the Altstadt. The river path is busy with residents, visitors, sunbathers, as well as ship traffic on the Rhine. The former Stiftsplatz in front of the church with its beautiful old façade is one of the most idyllic squares in Düsseldorf’s Old
Town and the Altestadt Strasse is the oldest street in Düsseldorf.
In the Ritterstrasse you’ll find facades from 18th and 19th century homes and – for even a bit more history stop in the Ursulinengasse, where markings show just where the medieval city wall from 1288 ran.