History of Dusseldorf

Dusseldorf, the capital of the Federal State of North Rhine Westphalia, is situated on the banks of the Rhine, and is the state’s centre of industry and culture. It is considered to be one of Germany's most charming cities, and is among its most affluent. Dusseldorf has spread to both banks of the river, with the two sides connected by five different bridges. The Old Town is located on the river’s right bank, and modern Dusseldorf’s architecture and some of its lovely residential neighbourhoods can be seen on the left.

Early power struggles

An early, and highly significant date for Dusseldorf, was the 14th of August, 1288. The Berg nobility had defeated the army of the Archbishop of Cologne earlier that year at the Battle of Worringen, ending a lengthy and bloody power struggle. On that date in August, Count Adolf V von Berg, the sovereign, granted city status to the former village on the banks of the Dussel. A monument that celebrates this event (the Stadterhebungsmonument) can be seen today on the Burgplatz in the Old Town.

Regional capital

By the 14th century, a market square had emerged in a relatively small area on the banks of the Rhine, protected on all sides by the city’s walls. By 1380, not long after the establishment of the market, Dusseldorf was elevated to be the regional capital of the Duchy of Berg, and a period of rapid development began. A building of note from this period of expansion is the collegiate church of St Lambertus. In the 16th century, the city’s status was consolidated and further elevated when Duke Wilhelm built his imposing castle here. The Town Hall was built in 1573, in the style of the Lower Rhine Renaissance, and it remains very well preserved.

Turbulent times

Dusseldorf suffered severe damage due to bombing during WWII, but it has recovered much of its splendour in the restoration and rebuilding of many of its most notable buildings. The city's reconstruction has continued to proceed at a rapid pace. Dusseldorf has been transformed into a metropolis boasting trade and service industries, and a vitality which would have been incomprehensible at the end of WWII. New buildings continue to spring up on the left bank, and international companies continue to choose Dusseldorf as the home for their business operations.

Modern prosperity

Dusseldorf’s annual trade fair (the Messe) is an ongoing success, and it has successfully made the city an international business base, helping to create a high standard of living and giving a cosmopolitan feel to the city. Although its metropolitan population is only around 750,000, it offers cultural and lifestyle opportunities that match those of Hamburg and Munich, which are considerably larger cities.