Carpatair Destinations: Düsseldorf – Always top of the list. Part 2

Today, we continue discovering the old Rhine-city of Dusseldorf. We will take a Rhine cruise and we will return to the city for its wonderful museums !

Cruises on the Rhine

The river that crosses Düsseldorf and endows the city with so much charm and brightness originates in the Swiss Alps, winds its way along the eastern border of France, crosses Germany and enters the Netherlands, then pours into the North Sea. The Rhine River is perfect for cruises, as it flows through major European cities, such as Basel in Switzerland, or Strasbourg, which it crosses on its course in Eastern France. The following destinations are Mannheim, Bonn, Cologne and, of course, Düsseldorf, in Germany. As the cruise continues to the Netherlands, it stops in Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Such Rhine cruises usually last between 8 and 12 days and stop in every major city so that passengers can visit the main tourist attractions. In Strasbourg, for instance, a visit to the European Parliament is a must. As your water journey continues, you will pass storybook castles,

idyllic vineyards and charming little towns. Truly enchanted is the region between Bonn and Mainz, riddled with tens of such castles. The program of many Rhine cruises include a visit to the Marksburg castle, one of the most beautiful constructions on the banks of the river. The city of Cologne is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so a stop in this city is mandatory as well.

Most European river cruises also provide local guides for visiting the cities on the itinerary. In terms of entertainment, the cruise ships offer European wine tastings, with the participation of local experts, cooking classes on the traditional cuisine of the countries visited, as well as artistic performances of local artists. The ships used for river cruises are usually small and hold up to 300 tourists. One of the advantages of these ships, as compared to larger ships used for maritime cruises, is that each room is overlooking the water. These journeys are very accessible, comfortable and elegant ways of exploring Europe.

Düsseldorf – an Outdoors Modern Architecture Museum

The cruise can also last for only a few hours, along the Düsseldorf quay, which is a genuine outdoors modern arts museum. Buildings with unique, even revolutionary architecture can be admired on both sides of the river. The most famous modern art buildings in Düsseldorf are the Gehry Buildings, built in 1999 and designed by architect Frank Gehry. A proponent of de constructivism, Frank Gehry established his reputation by creating such building complexes in the United States of America, Spain, France, Switzerland or the Czech Republic. The complex in Düsseldorf comprises 3 tall metal and glass buildings, apparently connected to one another, that seem to be twisting and turning. They have almost become one of the city’s landmarks during the past few years.

Other symbols of the rebellious nature of the city are the buildings covered entirely in graffiti, which have become new tourist attractions. No centimeter is devoid of color.

Here, freedom of expression has become art. Walls have been transformed into artists’ canvasses, depicting everything from abstract creations to portrait galleries.

The Colorium is a brightly-colourd building that stands tall on the bank of the Rhine. It breaks away from the rigid norms that American architecture has established for office buildings up to now. Onlookers will marvel at a building so invaded with color that it seems to be covered in wallpaper, instead of being a cold 18-storey building with numerous windows. The Colorium is expressive without being visually aggressive.

The neighbourhood is growing in the same non-conformist trend. The entire Mediahafen area is designed to attract companies to rent office spaces here, but it is also a tourist attraction.

You may also see an apparently classical, neutral, perfectly rectangular building with grey walls and ordinary windows, but covered with brightly-colored giant figures that seem to be struggling to climb it. These types of buildings are bound to break new boundaries every year.

Modern architecture, however, will not amaze only through color. Also on the banks of the Rhine, you will find the “Ship Building”. From a distance, the building does not resemble an ordinary ship, but a vessel made entirely out of ice. With its prow facing the quay, this glass colossus seems to be about to leave on a stylish river cruise.

And speaking of shapes, one cannot fail to mention the State Parliament of North-Rhine Westphalia, which is also found near the harbor. The building may be impressive enough when seen from the ground level, as it is similar to a labyrinth with curved walls, but that is not the way to discover its secret. You must visit it and search for a photograph or plan of the building as seen from above. For the best view of the building, however, you need to go up the television tower. From above, the building has the shape of a clock mechanism, with wheels, cogs and curves. One edifice that tends to dominate the Rhine harbor is the Rheinturm Tower, or the TV tower. Unlike the other buildings, this one does not stand out because of its design, but rather because it offers the best access route to a breathtaking panorama of the city. Always crowded with tourists, photographers or locals accompanied by children, the windows at the top of the tower will allow you to contemplate all the beautiful things that Düsseldorf has to offer.

Carpatair Magazine Nr. 17

Images Düsseldorf:

Landtag