Ratingen

The city is located in North Rhine-Westphalia, in the direct vicinity of the city along the Rhine, Dusseldorf. Duisburg, Essen and Mülheim border Ratingen to the north. To the south-east, the Bergisches Land mountain range extends with elevations of more than 500 metres. The Anger and Schwarzbach Rivers with their meadows are lovely green oases in the middle of the city. While on a short trip to Ratingen, go for an adventurous hiking trip in the Naturwaldzelle Hinkesforst forest to the west of the districts Tiefenbroich and Lintorf. Oak trees, ash trees and elm trees planted in the 19th century dominate the landscape.

The soothing central point of a city trip to Ratingen is the market square with cosy cafés. On three days a week, vibrant popular markets take place here. Right behind the square stand the two impressive towers of the early Gothic Church of St. Peter and Paul whose foundations are from the 8th century. Three of the seven church bells were cast during the Middle Ages. One of the loveliest sounding bells of the Rhineland is Mary’s Bell. On the banks of the Angerbach River, the picturesque moated castle Haus zum Haus invites visitors to explore its cultural centre with restaurant. The stronghold is from the year 1276. During the 1970s, the building was expanded. Popular concerts, theatres and lectures take place in the former stables.

A must during a city trip in Ratingen is the impressive Castle Landsberg in the centre. The historic building from the 17th and 18th century are based on a Count’s Castle which was constructed during the 13th century. The massive, 33 metre high castle keep and the ring wall stem from that era. The ground floor is the home of the family crypt of the manufacturing family Thyssen. The castle is nestled into a wonderful English landscaped park with lovely walking paths. An idyllic park with conifers, birch trees, cherry trees and rowan trees is also home of the former manor Rommeljans in the district Schwarzbach. While on your city trip, the Dusseldorf Golf Club invites you to play a round; its course is located on the same property.

The Industrial Museum Cromford in the north-eastern part of Ratingen guarantees an interesting experience during your travels. It reminds of the former textile factory, founded in 1783, the first of its kind in continental Europe. The manor house of the owner Johann Gottfried Brügelmann and the “high factory” impress with originally reconstructed, still functioning machines for yarn production Exhibits document the history of the factory and the hardship of the working conditions. Brügelmann named his factory after the English city Cromford because the first spinning machine was located there and Brügelmann was able to spy out the principle behind the construction which was guarded like treasure.