North Rhine-Westphalia

North Rhine-West Phalia, with federal capital Düsseldorf, is the most densely populated state of the Federal Republic of Germany. It is a very important industrial state, with internationally acknowledged seats of technology and trade. The success story of Germany’s industrial growth, providing jobs and prosperity for thousands of people, was written here to start with. Everybody knows the names of Thyssen and Krupp…But we would sell this state short if we only mention its industrial worth. Culture and the media are perhaps just as important.

Creativity, Culture, Sports and so on…

Nowadays, the region around the river Ruhr presents itself as a veritable culture landscape. Notwithstanding, or perhaps just because of it, the industrial sites have given new life to arts and culture, sports and entertainment. Theatre, orchestra’s, museums, libraries, free zones where all kinds of new arts are being born…More than 30.000 artists, in whatsoever fields, live here and put their mark on the region.

You might not believe it, but it is true: besides Paris and London, the state of North Rhine- West Phalia ranks third on the list of cultural establishments, in whatsoever way, in Europe. Nowhere in Germany, there are that many, with about 150 private or publicly sponsored “arty” places, ranking from theatres, opera’s, cabarets and musicals.

Pure Nature

There are 14 nature parks, and then the newly founded National Park of the Eifel, plus more than 200 lakes for walking, swimming, relaxing and/or revitalising. More than 30 Spa’s and health resorts are looking after the well-being of their clients, with all sorts of programmes. Then, there are lots of possibilities for just relaxing and having fun at the same time, e.g. with the “Active and Fun” special offers, such as skiing underneath a dome. Those who like to bike, either the very active or those who would just like to cycle along for little trips, can enjoy themselves to their heart’s extent. Lots of hilly terrain to put some effort into it, but also lots of flatland to just bike along. An Eldorado! West Phalia is famous for its well-established, attractive cycling paths.

Diversification

The region of this state could hardly be more diversified:

The Münsterland

The inhabitants of this region lovingly name their bike a means to avoid a lash from the whip, meaning that although this regions has hills, they are never too steep for those cycling to slow down too much to feel the harsh encouragement of a whip, whilst the descends go to quickly. The region is well known as a paradise for cyclists, with over a 100 fortifications and castles along the water ways. To mention but one of the fortresses, especially known to our German-speaking clients (although her works have been translated into English) the “Bürg Hulshoff”, where the poetess Annette von Droste Hülshoff lived, in Havixbeck. And for those who rather take another means of transport: you can ride here to your heart’s content, and there are many facilities in the neighbourhood to accommodate you. In Warendorf, there is a yearly  “stallion parade” which never fails to enthusiasm all those who love the most noble animal domesticated by man, the horse.

The Sauerland

This ultimate holiday- and relaxation region lures tourists from all over Europe. Most come here to enjoy an active leisure time, for example walking, cycling, skiing or snow boarding. There is an exiting “Bobbahn” in Winterberg, and one can do quite some sportive rewarding cycling, too.

Especially for children, the Karl May festivities at the Elspe Festival in Lennestadt-Elspe can be very exciting. Even if they never heard of the books of the author: when Winnetou shows his skills on a horse, they will love it!

The Ruhr-area

Once, the mention of this area was more or less synonym to air pollution and lots of unhealthy smoke, but these times are long past. There is a colliery museum in Bochum, very interesting for showing the not-so-good old times, but nowadays the only smoke can only come from too many brains, having to learn too much: there are five universities and quite a many specialised colleges. A lot of museums, too!

The Bergland

This region connects the Nordrhine to Westphalia in woodland harmony. Black slate ornaments the houses, and high hills, narrow dales and lakes are special to this “Bergisches Land”. Big cities are Wuppertal, Solingen and Remscheid, with the very special gliding railway and zoo in Wuppertal and the Burg fortress plus “Müngstener” bridge along the river Wupper.

The Lower Rhine (Niederrhein)

Between the Rhine and Maas rivers, from Emmerich till Dormagen, the area is called the Nieder Rhein. Woodlands, moors, small rivers and little lakes, pollard willows, willows and poplars characterize the landscape. The Via Romana, built by the Romans and leading towards the Dutch city of Nijmegen, is still visible. For all culture and history lovers, a visit to the most important Roman settlement in this area should be included; Xanten.

World Inheritance

Charles the Great had the Pfalz Chapel built in 786, thinking he fulfilled his dream of a new Roman empire. In the Cathedral of Aachen, you will find the Marmothron; the chamber of treasures is to be visited! From the year 936 till 1531, no less than 30 German kings were crowned in this church, which can boast to be the first German architectural work of art to be included on the list of UNESCO’s worldwide works of inheritance.

A true pearl of Rococo art is the palace if Clemens August von Wittelsbach, monarch and arch bishop of Cologne (1700-1761). Building commenced in 1725. Inside the palace Augustburg, the staircase built by Balthasar Neumann offers a very special experience in space. The garden has been designed from French examples. The most famous female of this noble house was Elisabeth, empress of Austria and Hungary, by millions known as “Sissi”.

Just a walk away from Augustburg, at the edge of a now small piece of woodland, you will find the hunting lodge of Clemens August, the so-called Falkenlust. François de Cuvilliés was the architect.

One of the most imposing cathedrals of Europa surely is the one in Cologne, “Köln” in German. Building started in 1248 and after many pauses, sometimes taking ages, it was finally completed in 1880. This masterpiece of Gothic art soars up to 157 m., with a nave of 43,35 m. The most important treasure is the Shrine of the Epiphany.

The “Zeche Zollverein” was once the largest and most modern pit shaft in the world. In 1986, it was closed down and became a museum. Nowadays, it contains a dancing theatre as well as an exhibition space for contemporary art and culture. The former boiler rooms now accommodate the design centre of the complete Nordrhein-Westphalia.

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