Discover Düsseldorf : Palaces & castles

Benrath Palace
 
 

Kaiserpfalz
 
 

The old castle tower
 
 

Jägerhof Palace
 
 

Eller Palace
 
 

Heltorf Palace
 
 

Garath Palace
 
 

Suitbertus tower
Stiftsplatz
 

Kalkum Palace
 
 

Angermund Castle
 
 

Ratinger Tor
 
 

Mickeln Palace

Schloss Benrath

The most famous of Düsseldorf's palaces is in the borough of Benrath and was built in the 18th century as a palace for the Elector Carl Theodor von der Pfalz. Today, Schloss Benrath, as it is called, is one of Düsseldorf's most popular excursion spots and houses various museums, such as the European Horticultural Art Museum. The court architect Nicolas de Pigage (1723 1798) designed the magnificent building and the rolling parklands in which you can promenade even today.

Picturesque location - Kaiserpfalz (Emperor's Palace) Kaiserswerth

The ruins of the medieval Kaiserpfalz or Emperor's Palace, which was built in 1180 by the legendary Friedrich I. "Barbarossa" is a must-see for those interested in history. Restorations since the beginning of the past century have preserved the monument. In the neighbouring basilica, in a golden shrine lie the remains of St. Suitbertus.

The castle tower - not just for hobby mariners

The old castle tower is a relict of the Düsseldorf city palace. Burnt down in 1882 and damaged in the 2nd World War, the building was renovated and today houses the Maritime Museum. Apart from a lovely view of the Rhine, you can also get some information about maritime history on the Rhine.

Napoleon, Goethe and fine arts - Schloss Jägerhof

In the city centre and on the eastern boundary of the Hofgarten is Schloss Jägerhof. The building was constructed according to plans dating back to 1748 and completed in 1772. In 1796, the Jägerhof was plundered by the revolutionary troops and restored again only in 1811 on the occasion of Napoleon's 4-day visit to Düsseldorf. Today, the palace is home to the Goethe Museum, a comprehensive collection on the life and works of the poet.

Palace parks, beautiful gardens and chamber music

Not all of Düsseldorf's palaces can be seen from the inside. In contrast, their parks and English gardens are mostly accessible and offer beautiful walks. Especially in the summer months, the forest-like parks of Schloss Eller or Schloss Heltorf in Angermund are a cool oasis. Schloss Heltorf, with its rhododendron garden, is among the most beautiful forest parks on the lower Rhine. If you are looking to do some sunbathing on the banks of the Rhine go to Schloss Mickeln in Himmelgeist. And fans of chamber music should attend a concert in Schloss Garath.

There are other castles and palaces around Düsseldorf that are worth a trip.

Schloss Dyck - Garden paradise on the lower Rhine

Enchanted palace and beautiful park: Schloss Dyck, situated about 30 kilometres to the west of Düsseldorf, together with several court buildings and its English landscape garden, is among the important culture monuments in the Rhineland. The palace has remained almost unchanged since the middle of the 17th century. Visit the exhibitions on the history of the monument, the concept of the English landscape garden or modern art, or let your children clamber around in the climbing garden.

Burg Linn - Flax market and treasure chamber

The castle of Linn near Krefeld is one of the oldest castles on the lower Rhine. Parts of the existing construction go back to the 12th century. Archaeological findings, especially from the ages of the Romans and Franks, can be viewed in the museum. Around the castle, in the historical town centre, the flax market is held every year at Pentecost. You can watch about 300 craftsmen at work, or have fun watching the knights jousting and be entertained by the musicians and jugglers.

City history of Düsseldorf - Castle Burg in Solingen

Many years ago Graf von Berg, whom Düsseldorf has to thank for its town charter, had his family seat in castle Burg, high above the Wupper. The 12th century castle today houses the Bergische Museum. You can visit the knight's hall, the fortress, the dungeons and the gallery of ancestral portraits.

Rheinische Rothenburg - Zons fortress

With a unique fortress system from the 14th century, Zons is probably the best-kept example of a fortified town on the Rhine. The city borough Dormagen, about 20 kilometres from Düsseldorf's inner city, is also called the "Rothenburg on the Rhine". Visit the idyllic old town centre with the imposing towers and the palace building with castle and court buildings.