Duisburg

Duisburg – To Satisfy The Travel Bug In You

The colorful vibrant city in the West of the Ruhr region in North-Rhine Westphalia, is Duisburg in Germany and it is the biggest inland harbor in Europe. One can plan a day’s visit definitely to this lively city and if you are not hard pressed with your time take a short trip during any weekend to this city, because the city exhibits a wide spectrum of possibilities and entertainment amidst picturesque setting which is simply fabulous. This mosaic city has answers to all needs, be it strolling along the lakeside or meandering through the architectural setting of this city or enjoying an evening of theatrical shows and operas. Explore Duisburg from the lens of your own eyes so that you can pen down a memoir to relive in the later years of life.

Duisburg’s History…

There was a mention of Duisburg in historical records found in 883 and it is mentioned that the Normans conquered this place and spent their winter here. During the medieval times, owing to its geographic location, city fortifications were built. It was around 13^th century that the constitution of the city was laid out and established with two mayors.

Credit goes to Geradus Mercator who revived the city to an educated and cultured city image with the starting of Duisburg University here. The city became an industrial hub later during the 18^th century, with the rise of tobacco and textile industries. The construction of a railroad line to Dusseldorf further broadened scope to develop the city and Duisburg became an independent city borough. However, the city bled during the two World Wars.

Nazis devastated the Jewish synagogue during the World War II and the historic cityscape of Duisburg was completely deformed by incessant bombing raids. This necessitated rebuilding of the city as a whole from rubble. However, the world wars buried several erstwhile landmarks of Duisburg. Nevertheless, the city today vibrates with inexhaustible events and activities.

Duisburg’s landscape...

Duisburg lies on the lower Rhine Basin at the confluence of Rhine and Ruhr rivers. The city though spreads along both sides of the mighty Rhine River.

Going Around Duisburg

Duisburg city offers its visitors a variety of places that exude architectural grandeur. Art buffs would find this place amazing because of the interesting museums.

The art lovers would spend endless time in Museum Kuppersmuhle, a museum that is devoted to modern art. One can find the city’s passion in the open air art display in the form of Lardera’s sculpture, Negative Trees in Krupstasse and the Sculpture Park in Duisburg inner city. Entertainment is at its best in Duisburg with five large halls, situated on either side of Rhine. The city can boast of a large city theater too where year round performances are being held. Classical music lovers can listen to German Opera on Rhine at the Municipal Theater or can be audience at the Mercator Concert Hall for world famous Duisburg Philharmonic Orchestra band.

On the Duisburg Inner harbor lays the Atlantis Children Museum that showcases some unusual objects, children with their elders enjoy every moment here. If you wish to explore the development of settlements in and around the lower Rhine from the prehistoric times and yearn to know more about the bygone days of Duisburg, pay a visit to the Museum of Culture and local History of Duisburg. But one of the largest museums of Germany is the Museum of German Inland Navigation and this is in Duisburg city. Exhibited in this museum are the technical, commercial and the social history of inland navigation. And, if you are still interested to know more on Duisburg, a visit to the Wilhelm Lehmbruck Museum that houses 20^th century sculpture and painting is a must.

For the nature lover in you Duisburg will never be a disappointing place, as the countryside of this city offers some breathtaking views. Take some time to enjoy the extensive six lakes of Duisburg preferably through boat rides.

Get refreshed and visit the landscape park that offers its visitors innumerable opportunities for sport, recreation and great many leisure activities. The park must be visited during late evenings as it gets transformed into a new make belief fairy castle due to its amazing illumination.

Duisburg zoo is another attraction for people of all age groups. It’s a treat to see the koala bears and dolphins here and lens men become quite busy here in the zoo. The zoo also houses the first dolphinarium in the European continent and further attraction is the Monkey House or Equatorium. It is in this zoo that you have a Chinese Garden as well. The zoo spans in 16 acres land and has over 2000 wild animals with some exotic species too. It was established in the year 1934 and no doubt has become one of the hotspots of Duisburg.

To treat your eyes with different shades of green and to walk in the paradise of greenery at Duisburg, take a visit to the Botanical garden Hamborn that stretches quite far with variety of flora including water plants, decorative grasses and sub-tropical plants. The place is kept open from morning to dusk throughout the year.

For the walker in you a stroll to the city woodland is just great. The people of Duisburg conserve these woodlands with utmost care for its joggers, walkers and hikers. After a long walk in the woodlands, you can unwind yourself in the Thermal Baths, Niederrhein. The thermal bath is a natural spa with natural thermal brine and needless to say that time spent here will make you relaxed, refreshed as well as recharged.

The nightlife at Duisburg is upbeat and roars with great dance floors, bars and pubs. The gamblers in you can try luck out in Germany’s most modern casino at Duisburg. If you are a shopping enthusiast, then take time to enjoy shopping in the city center of Duisburg. However, the ideal family outing is sightseeing by a boat ride along the River Rhine and taking a trip to Duisport, a one of a kind inland port.

The possibilities offered in Duisburg are enormous, so get set for a short trip to this cozy little city of Germany.