Tag Archives: Dusseldorf

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The Schloss Foundation and Benrath Park

Schloss Benrath in Dusseldorf, Germany

Elena Klippert / Shutterstock.com

Also known as Benrath Palace, Schloss Benrath is a baroque-style palace that was completed in 1770, and holds such historic significance for the city of Düsseldorf that it has been submitted for UNESCO World Heritage designation. From exploring the actual palace and the museum within to touring the baroque square hunting park that surrounds it, this is a part of the city that history buffs will not want to miss.

The Main Palace
The Main Palace is where most visitors to Benrath Park start off at, and is a fantastic introduction to all that you will be seeing. The main palace contains historic furniture, art work, porcelain and more, all of which have been curated to give visitors an accurate impression of what court life would have been like in the later half of the 18th century. There are many exhibits on display to take a look at here, and guided tours are available if you would like a more in-depth knowledge of everything around you.

Other Museums in the Palace
Benrath Palace is home to two museums, one in its east wing and one in its west wing. The museum in the east wing is the Museum of European Garden Art, and is quite a unique one for the way in which it focuses solely on garden art from different parts of Europe. In the west wing, you will find the Natural History Museum, which is considered to be one of the best museums in the city. As you would expect, this museum focuses on natural history, but does this with a local spin, making it quite unique. There are also several exhibits here based on Benrath Park itself, which you will then be able to explore for yourself.

The Palace Park
Benrath Park is an oasis when it comes to greenery, and you will immediately notice the wide range of plants that live here. The park is divided into three distinct gardens, each with its own unique theme. From the French Garden with its spectacular orangery to the romantic Flower Garden, which used to be known as the English Garden, there is plenty to see here. As you make your way around the park, you will notice all of the lime tree avenues that surround you, and these are actually over 250 years old, and were created over time by training the growth of the trees. End you visit at the wooded section of Benrath Park, as the lush tree canopies provide a one-of-a-kind ecosystem for flowering plants to grow, as well as a number of colorful wildflowers, canals and ponds.

Benrath Palace was originally built as a hunting lodge and summer residence for Elector Carl Theodor, with its location being chosen due to its proximity to the River Rhine. While there were numerous garden palaces created in the 18th century, all over the world, Benrath Palace and its park is considered to be one of the most beautiful, and this is something that you will no doubt agree with once you pay it a visit for yourself.

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Can’t-Miss Dusseldorf Highlights in a Day

Street scene in Dusseldorf, Germany

Düsseldorf is packed with so many different things to see and do, but, if you only have a day to spend in the city, there are certain highlights that you definitely will not want to miss. From the city’s Old Town to the River Rhine, make sure that each of these spots are included in your itinerary.

Königsallee
Königsallee is the most famous shopping spot in the city, especially if you are seeking out exclusive stores and high end goods. Take a stroll down the gorgeous boulevard, doing some window shopping along the way, and, if you have not eaten your breakfast yet, stop off at one of the many restaurants for a bite to eat.

Altstadt
Altstadt is Dusseldorf’s Old Town, and is just a short walk away from Königsallee. This is an incredibly charming part of the city, and although it measures just one square kilometre, there is more to see here than in any other district in Düsseldorf. To top it all off, Altstadt is home to the longest bar in the world, which is actually around 300 different bars that all have interconnecting bar counters. Many of them serve up the city’s local brew, so do stop off at a couple for a bit of beer tasting.

Architecture in Dusseldorf, Germany

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Burgplatz
Burgplatz is the spot at which the small Dussel River merges with the Rhine, and has always been an important part of the city. There is over 700 years of history to explore here, with a number of museums that will help you to do so. Just upriver from here is the MedienHafen, which is a harbour that is surrounded by spectacular architecture, with many of the buildings having been designed by world-famous architects. The Rhine embankment promenade is the best place to walk to see all of this, with its wave-like pavement having been specifically designed for this area. As you continue walking, you will soon come up to Carlstadt, which is another area that is well worth exploring.

Carlstadt
Carlstadt is another part of the city that is filled with history and art, and you will find several galleries, museums and antique stores here. While you will not have time to visit many museums, the Filmmuseum and the German Museum of Ceramics are both fascinating if you would like a quick browse. The stately homes in Carlstadt date back to the 18th and 19th centuries, and just strolling the streets here gives you the opportunity to soak up such a historic vibe, which the area has managed to successfully retain. If you are visiting the area on any day other than Sunday, it will not be long before you stumble across Carlsplatz, which is the local food market that is held here. This is a great opportunity to sample some local cuisine, and taste the city’s seasonal ingredients.

Düsseldorf is quite a compact city, meaning that it is easily walkable. While a day may not seem like that much time, this is enough to see the city’s main highlights, so long as you plan your route wisely.

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The 2017 Dusseldorf Festival

Dusseldorf, Germany

Shchipkova Elena / Shutterstock.com

Held this year from the 13th of September to the 2nd of October, the Düsseldorf Festival fills the city with culture and the arts. From eccentric dance to global music, this is a festival that has something for just about everybody, but here are a few of its most highly-anticipated performances.

Ahi – Taksim Trio
The Taksim Trio are three musicians from Istanbul, and have made quite the name for themselves in Turkey. Their music is not only always entertaining, but also extremely skilled, and with a bold, multicultural quality, making this a show that you should not miss. The instruments involved include a clarinet, a duduk, an amplified baglama, and the Turkish zither, which work together to play a mix of Anatolian folk music and oriental pop, with a touch of classical and jazz too. They will be performing at the Düsseldorf Festival on the 29th of September, with this being their very first performance in Germany.

Ahnsim Dance – Eun-Me Ahn
Eun-Me Ahn is a Korean choreographer who is famous for her provocative, and extremely eccentric, dance pieces. For the first time ever, she will be presenting her latest trilogy in Europe, at the Düsseldorf Festival on the 26th of September. The piece features dancers that are both blind and sighted, and they tell a beautifully emotional story of the difficulties that being different brings in society.

The Revival – Cory Henry
Cory Henry is from the younger generation of gospel artists, but is just as well-loved as the classics. His latest program, called The Revival, features the magnificent Hammond organ, and this is used on its own for the majority of the performance, although he is sometimes accompanied by a single percussionist. Cory Henry is incredibly talented when it comes to the organ, bringing about such a wide range of sounds from it, starting off soulful and then moving on to progressive jazz, and even rock.

Y Ole – Jose Montalvo
Jose Montalvo is a French choreographer with a Spanish heritage, and this performance takes on an almost competitive edge, as he mixes together so many different dance types. From vibrant flamenco to the beats of hip hop to classical dance to soulful African rhythms, this is a performance that melds together all of Montalvo’s childhood memories, from all over the world, and can be seen on the 19th of September.

Master Drummers of Burundi
The Master Drummers of Burundi have been one of the leading drum ensembles in the world for the past few decades, and their performances are always filled with so much color and intensity. Performing at the Düsseldorf Festival on the 22nd of September, the performances usually involve 12 batimbos who create an astounding rhythm to sing and dance to, while using their musical instruments to fight imaginary battles.

The Düsseldorf Festival brings together musicians, dancers and artists from all over the world. From Turkey to France to Korea, this is a fantastic representation of international art and culture, with many of the performers being famous in their home countries.

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Museums of Benrath Palace

Benrath Palace, Germany

Situated in Benrath, a borough of Düsseldorf, Benrath Palace is a baroque-style palace that dates back to 1755, and, with such historic significance, has recently been proposed to be included on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. The palace was originally built as a summer residence and hunting lodge, and still retains a large portion of its original design and architecture. Consisting of five main buildings, three of these each housing a museum, and extensive gardens stretching out for more than 60 hectares, along with a large lake, Benrath Palace is most definitely worth a visit when in Düsseldorf.

Museum of European Garden History
Situated in the East Wing of Benrath Palace, the Museum of European Garden History occupies an area of over 2000 square meters. Considered to be quite a unique museum, the exhibits here are focused on garden history, with many of them dating back to medieval Europe. From the life-like sculptures to the incredible paintings, this is a great opportunity to view garden art throughout the years, and for those that want even more in-depth information, there are regular lectures and guided tours also held at the museum.

Natural History Museum
While many of the major national history museums around the world may feature exhibits from all over the world, the Natural History Museum at Benrath Palace has a local focus, with a special emphasis placed on the Lower Rhine Basin and the Lower Bergisch area. Situated in the West Wing of the palace, the exhibits at the museum showcase the local flora and fauna, beginning with a brief history of the Rhine, while also paying attention to the Rhein Fisheries. Another highlight for many geological buffs is the exhibit on the Rhine floodplain, which has been at the center of many debates over the years.

Museum Corps de Logis
Located in the main building of Benrath Palace, the Museum Corps de Logis is definitely one of the highlights of the site, as it depicts what court life would have been like in the second part of the 18th century. The unique ornaments, furniture and artwork placed around the building points towards the lifestyle of those that once lived here, while the architecture and interior design are spectacularly impressive.

In addition to its three museums, Benrath Palace is also home to the Palace Park, which is divided into three different gardens; the official garden, the private garden, and the bosquet, each authentically displaying what gardens in the 18th century would have been like. The parkland is also home to an animal park, which was transformed into a hunting ground when the palace was in use, and offers quite a romantic feel to the palace’s ambiance, especially with the way in which it is framed by trees that date back 250 years. Considered to be one of the most beautiful garden palaces that was created in this time period, Benrath Palace is a must-see for those visiting Düsseldorf for the first time, as it gives you the opportunity to soak up some of the city’s unique history, culture and heritage.