Düsseldorf Facts
History
- First documentary reference in 1135 under the name of “Dusseldorp”
- The city was founded in 1288
- Königsallee, bearing genuine Düssel water in its gullies, originated after the French invasion under Napoleon in 1795
- Düsseldorf has been the state capital of North Rhine-Westphalia since 1946
- In recent centuries, Düsseldorf has developed into a major economic and financial city. Fashion, media and the advertising scene today give the city colourful accents
Population
- 580,000 residents
- The city is also known as “Little Tokyo” in Germany, because more than 7000 Japanese live in Düsseldorf and it is known for its excellent Japanese restaurants
Architecture
- The “Kö” is graced by one of Düsseldorf’s biggest department stores, the Kaufhof building in art nouveau style
- The Old Town, also called the “longest bar in the world”, is dominated by the “tavern architecture”
- Impressive buildings in the harbour: the Rhine Tower (television tower, more than 240 meters high and with an exclusive restaurant and bistro), the leaning Gehry Buildings and the Kniebrücke (“Knee Bridge”). The city gate, seat of the State Chancellery of North Rhine-Westphalia, which was awarded a prize as the best office building in Europe
Specialties/Souvenirs
- Be sure to try: the top-fermented, spicy dark beer; hot Düsseldorf Mostert (home-made mustard with grape must); Killepitsch herb liqueur; Radschläger (“Cartwheels”) made of chocolate and truffles from Confiserie Heinemann.
