Kaiserswerth

Kaiserswerth is more than a neighborhood of Düsseldorf, Kaiserswerth is one of the most popular excursion destinations on the Lower Rhine due to its numerous sights and its location on the Rhine. The former customs station on the Rhine inspires with its numerous historic buildings, including the former imperial palace, which Emperor Friedrich I. Barbarossa had built around 1174 as a customs fortress.

Kaiserswerth

Kaiserswerth was an important place in its past where German history was written. Today Kaiserswerth is of tourist importance and a popular destination. Because the city on the Rhine, which was located on an island in the Rhine until 1235, has numerous well-preserved historical buildings and also exudes a very special atmosphere. Take a tour of the historic town and visit the numerous historic buildings. Well-placed signs as well as informative boards show the way and inform you about the history of the individual buildings.

Simply start your tour at the St. Suitbertus Basilica. The imposing building, which was built around 1050 in the Romanesque style and has undergone several changes throughout its history, still impresses today with its architecture and the works of art it houses. The Collegiate Church, founded in 1967 by Pope Paul VI. was raised to the Minor Basilica, today belongs to the parish, and creates an atmospheric, almost romantic atmosphere in interaction with the beautiful abbey square, which is one of the most beautiful of its kind on the Lower Rhine.

Kaiserswerth

From the Stiftsplatz you can reach the former imperial palace, which is only a few hundred steps away from the basilica. The magnificent building was built by Emperor Friedrich I. Barbarossa around 1174 as a customs fortress. However, with the loss of power in the 13th century, the owners of the fort changed steadily. French occupying forces were one of the last to reside in the Imperial Palatinate before it was destroyed during the War of the Spanish Succession in 1702, and subsequently served as a stone supplier for the construction of the destroyed city of Kaiserswerth under Elector Johann Wilhelm II. In the years 1899 to 1908 the restoration of the imperial palace began. Further repairs followed in the years 1967 to 1974 and 1998 to 2001. Today you can still see some of the meter-thick brick walls, as well as basalt pillars and a heavy lintel. From today’s highest point in the Kaiserpfalz, you also have a wonderful view of the Rhine.

An alley leads you from the historic site to the castle courtyard, which is now a popular pub with a beer garden. When the weather is nice, you can enjoy a delicious glass of Altbier with a view of the Rhine. In the opposite direction you get back to the center. Here you will find, among others, the Capuchin monastery from 1672, the facade of which was built in the typical Lower Rhine-Flemish brick construction. Other buildings worth seeing in the historic city center of Kaiserswerth are the former customs house and the renowned Gasthaus Zum Schiffchen, which was also built in the Lower Rhine brick style. The Gimbornhaus on Stifstplatz is shaped by baroque gables and is also worth seeing.

Kaiserswerth

From Kaiserswerth you can also hike or bike along the Rhine to Düsseldorf. The Rhine ferry takes you to the other side of the Rhine. There is also another ship pier on the Rhine promenade. From here, the “Weisse Flotte” starts, for example, to Düsseldorf. Conversely, you can get from Düsseldorf to Kaiserswerth by boat. Take the opportunity if you should be in Düsseldorf and take a trip to Kaiserswerth. The flair of the small town will convince you. In addition, the surrounding area offers beautiful excursion destinations and natural sites on the Rhine. For longer stays, there are numerous hotels and guesthouses to choose from both in Kaiserswerth and in Düsseldorf. Kuhpfad wishes you an eventful and pleasant stay in Kaiserswerth on the Rhine.