Places Visited in Düsseldorf, Germany 29 December 2019

For the night goers who love beer and music, Düsseldorf is known as the city with the longest bar in the world.  There are more than 300 bars and disco house next to each other at the city's Old town (Altstadt).  

The said district occupies the eastern bank of the Rhine River in the central part of Düsseldorf.  Stroll along the riverside while enjoying the city lights.  Not to be missed, the Düsseldorf's signature beer, Altbier (Old Beer) which is brewed from the city's traditional recipe.

I have been thinking if I will share our very short visit to Düsseldorf.  In our itinerary, we were supposed to spend the night of 28 December visiting the last day of the Christmas Markets in Düsseldorf. We were stuck, however, in Cologne.  By the time we got to this city, the advent markets were already closed.  The night though has not ended yet in Düsseldorf.  Actually it has just started for those who love to explore after dark.  

Nonetheless, this kind of nightlife was not for us on that night.  We had a long drive the following day, to Strasbourg, France.  We did not leave though without exploring the city.  We woke up very early the following day and walked to the Old Town (Altstadt).  I guess, saying something about our brief stay in Düsseldorf  could be a bit of help for those who plan to go to this city for a holiday.

Wheel of Vision,   Düsseldorf Old Town (Altstadt), Germany

Arrived at the Düsseldorf Old Town (Altstadt) at dawn, let us start with the Wheel of Vision at the Burgplatz, next to the Rheinuferpromenade.  No need for 300 and over step to climb for a bird's view of the impressive  structures at the Old Town and across the Rhine River.  Experience at night, the majestic view of the city lit up.  More so, there were Christmas markets under the wheel.

The medieval 14th century St. Lambertus Church is the oldest building in Düsseldorf.  The gothic Catholic church houses the  bone of its patron saint, St Apollinaris.  St. Lambertus Church is prominent for its twisted spire.  The timber used were unseasoned when the tower was rebuilt in 1815 after it was struck by lightning.

The Rhine Promenade on the east bank is very scenic.  Wide enough for a stroll and stop along the way for places that are worth to visit. Or stop for a photo-taking as I did with the line of the naked trees as my backdrop.

Along the narrow street of Altestadt and opposite the north side of the St. Lambertus church is the Josephskapelle

Düsseldorf is separated by the Rhine river, with the Old Town in the east and the business district in the west.  There are many bridges that connect the districts.  Going north is the Oberkasselerbrücke (Oberkassel bridge).  The bridge spans 258 meters and with only one cable plane.  Oberkassel bridge is one of the three cable-stayed bridges from the original  Düsseldorf Bridge family.  Latter had influenced the construction of the cable-strayed bridge worldwide.

Rheintreppe (Rhine stairs) is mostly the focal point for gatherings and meeting people.  Perfect for a place to take a break with our favourite chilled drink after the exhaustive city explore  as we enjoy the beautiful sceneries.

Towards south is the view of the Rheinturm (Rhine tower), 240.5 meter telecommunication tower.  It has a revolving restaurant and an observation deck.

Another bridge crosses the Rhine River, located in the south is the Rheinkniebrücke.  Latter spans 319m.  Like the Oberkassel bridge,  Rheinkniebrückeis is one of the three cable-stayed bridges from the original  Düsseldorf Bridge family.  The bridge connects the districts on the right bank such as Carlstadt and the Oberkassel district on the left bank.

The line of trees on the Burgplatz along the promenade and the Rhine tower towards south.

More on the Burgplatz, a cobblestone square on the Altstadt, is the location of one of the Düsseldorf significant landmarks.  Schlossturm (Düsseldorf  Castle Tower).  The tower is what was left of the burned-down Düsseldorf  Castle, originally the northern end of the castle.  Initial construction date back to the 13th century.  Currently, the tower is used as shipping museum.

View from the Burgplatz, towards the  Mühlenstraße are the line of picturesque buildings.  Latter house restaurants, pubs, bars and discotheques.  The whole Altstadt district is bustling with crowds at night with line of tables extended outside the bars and the pubs

Turn left to Liefergasse or right to Mertensgasse for more choices of bars, pubs and disco houses that are just next to each other.

Burgplatz,  Düsseldorf  Altstadt, Germany

Burgplatz is a historical cobblestone square on the Altstadt and is next to the Rhine Promenade

Burgplatz,  Düsseldorf  Altstadt, Germany

Burgplatz is a place to start the stroll along the Rhine River or pub crawling.  Guided walking tours start from this square.

Off Altstadt, walking along Mühlenstraße.  The building on the left was named Andreas Quartier leased for hotels, restaurants and other establishments.  Across Andreas is also a hotel.

Four caryatids by the sculptor Wilhelm Albermann , 1879–1881

Still on Mühlenstraße are two museums:  Kunsthalle Düsseldorf and the North Rhine-Westphalia Art Collection. 

Featured outside the Kunsthalle are the sculptures of the four caryatids representing the cultural highlights of music, painting, sculpture and architecture,  by the sculptor Wilhelm Albermann , 1879–1881, Cultural highlights: 

Heinrich-Heine-Platz,  Düsseldorf, Germany

Engelchen Markt (Little Angel Market)  is held at the Heinrich-Heine-Platz.  The Christmas markets in Düsseldorf ended on 28 December during our visit in 2019.  Maybe a few opened after the published last day but we already left the city.  I believe those under the Wheel of Vision were opened till January. 

Empty Christmas market at the Heinrich-Heine-Platz.  Engelchen Markt (Little Angel Market) is the most popular Christmas Market in  Düsseldorf.  Conveniently located at one of the exits of Heinrich-Heine U station.   The Art Nouveau music pavilion in the centre of the market sells the fragrant mulled wine, hot chocolate and sweets.  This small market was simply beautified by the white hut stalls with angel figurines and floral motifs.  Traditional and new culinary delights are sold in the market.

Galeria Kaufhof and Corneliusplatz at Königsallee, Dusseldorf, Germany

Next to Heinrich-Heine-Platz is the Galeria Kaufhof  at the famous shopping area, Königsallee Dusseldorf.  In front of the mall is the Corneliusplatz which was fully re-opened to public in 2018 after the more than  10 years closure to construction of the Wehrhahn Line   The square is turned to 1a 1700sqm ice rink from November to New Year sponsored by the DEG.  The rink is incorporated to the neo-baroque  bowl fountain by Leo Müsch which was erected in the center in 1882.  Few Christmas market stalls sell  Glühwein

Stadtgraben, Königsallee, Dusseldorf, Germany

Opposite the Corneliusplatz is the Stadtgraben, a bodies of water in the Königsallee 580 meters in length and 32 meters in width.  This area was previously protective waters in front of the Dusseldorf eastern fortifications.  This would be a beautiful attraction with the trees lined on both sides.  

Both the Corneliusplatz and the Stadgraben are in the Königsallee  (King Avenue), a luxury shopping street in Dusseldorf.  The buildings lined on both sides of the Stadtgraben houses high-end shops such as the LV and Prada.  Likewise, the buildings along the Corneliusplatz.

Johanneskirche, Düsseldorf

St. Andreas, Düsseldorf

Before we went back to our hotel, I have visited these two churches,  St. Andreas, Düsseldorf is a Catholic church located near the Kunsthalle museum.  Johanneskirche is Protestant church located at the  Martin-Luther-Platz.

Düsseldorf is worth to visit.  I suggest to spend full day or 2 to explore the city, visit the museum and a nightlife experience.  Strolling the city was not in our itinerary.  It was an added bonus in our tour, we missed though the Christmas Markets experience in Düsseldorf .  I was looking forward for the Engelchen Markt and the Ice Skating Rink at the Cornelusplatz.  Also the markets at the Altstadt.  

Set to leave this another city of Germany.  We were off to Strasbourg.  We had stopped for a few hours in Cologne, Germany. This blog continues to Christmas Markets in Colmar, France.

continued from  Holiday Season in Cologne, Germany and Christmas Market Experience with family  28 December 2019

continued to Visit to  Colmar, France with Christmas Market Experience 29 and 31 December 2019