Summary
Located on Düsseldorf’s northeast edge, Ratingen is a prosperous city that serves as the headquarters for numerous international computer brands and high-tech manufacturers. The innovative atmosphere of Ratingen dates back to the 18th century when it became home to the first cotton spinning mill in mainland Europe.
Today, the Textilfabrik Cromford operates as an engaging museum attached to a Baroque mansion that was the residence of the mill owner’s family for nearly 200 years. The city’s historical center is rich in character, featuring a vibrant marketplace and remnants of Medieval walls and defensive towers that continue to protect the area.
Furthermore, if you seek an evening of entertainment or a romantic stroll by the Rhine, Düsseldorf is easily accessible, requiring only a 15-minute journey on the S-Bahn.
Let us explore the top attractions in Ratingen:
1. St. Peter und Paul
The parish church of Ratingen is among the earliest Gothic hall churches in the Rhineland. Most of its architecture dates back to the late 13th century, evolving from a mid-12th-century Romanesque basilica. Elements of the original structure can be observed in the blind arches of the western tower.
While the three naves were constructed towards the end of the 1200s, the choir underwent Neo-Gothic expansion in the 1890s, designed by Heinrich Wiethase, a prominent architect of the era. This project also introduced the current Baroque-style dome atop the tower.
2. Textilfabrik Cromford
In 1783, Ratingen became the first location in continental Europe to establish a cotton spinning mill. Named after Arkwright’s Cromford Mill in Derbyshire, this facility was founded by entrepreneur Johann Gottfried Brügelmann. He also constructed an elegant Baroque villa nearby, surrounded by meticulously designed formal and English-style gardens.
The Brügelmann family continued to operate the mill until its closure in the 1960s. Currently, both the mill and villa are under the management of the Rhineland Museum of Industry. Visitors can observe the functioning of the cotton spinners and gain insight into the challenges faced by those who worked in the mill. The villa showcases the luxurious lifestyle of the Brügelmann family, featuring period furnishings, decor, clothing, and family portraits.
3. Marktplatz
A visit to Ratingen should commence at the marketplace, where commerce has persisted since 1371. Surrounded by charming historical townhouses, the 14th-century Bürgerhaus, and the Church of St Peter and Paul, the marketplace presents a picturesque atmosphere.
During pleasant weather, one can enjoy a beer or coffee at the outdoor terraces. Market days occur on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, bringing additional vibrancy to the square. Additionally, a flea market is occasionally hosted at Marktplatz, alongside special events during the carnival season in early spring and the Ratingen Festival, which features live music and fairground attractions at the end of June.
4. Stadtmauer
On a map, the layout of Ratingen’s old town resembles a near-perfect circle, historically encircled by a defensive wall featuring 15 manned towers. These defenses were established in the 13th century and underwent reinforcement in the 1400s. Presently, only three of these towers remain, which is more than in most cities, allowing visitors to envision Ratingen during medieval times.
The most well-preserved section of the old wall can be accessed easily from the old center between Turmstraße and Angerstraße. Here, visitors can explore the former moat and see the Dicker Turm (1464), standing 13 meters tall and 12 meters wide. To the west of the center is the Trinsenturm (1474), which functioned as an armory, while to the east lies the Kornsturm (1460), an ancient granary.
5. Cromford Park
The gardens surrounding the Cromford spinning mill remained private until 1977. Two decades ago, these gardens were designated as a protected monument, leading to widespread recognition of Cromford Park as a cultural asset in the Rhineland. Although little of Brügelmann’s original Baroque formal garden remains, visitors can still appreciate the impressive chestnut tree avenue leading to the villa and manicured hedges at the front.
In 1907, landscape architect Reinhold Hoemann redesigned the gardens in the English style, characterized by meandering paths, tree clusters, and rolling lawns. In 1997, a rose and perennial gardenwas cultivated on a rise adjacent to the Brügelmann family’s historic burial site.
6. Oberschlesisches Landesmuseum
The Upper Silesian State Museum has been located in Ratingen since 1983, chronicling the history and culture of the region in southern Poland. The presence of a museum dedicated to Upper Silesia in Ratingen stems from complex historical events of the 20th century.
At one time, the region included German-speaking populations and was part of the German Empire after 1871. Following the Treaty of Versailles and the establishment of the Iron Curtain, many individuals with Upper Silesian heritage settled in North Rhine-Westphalia, often finding it difficult to return home.
The permanent exhibition, situated on the upper floor, includes folk crafts (e.g., painted eggs), farming tools, artwork, costumes, religious sculptures, ceramics, and archival photographs. Additionally, temporary exhibitions are held on specific themes or figures, such as a 2016 display centered on Upper Silesian composer Heinrich Schulz-Beuthen.
7. Im Roten Hahn
The oldest private structure in the old town is an attractive half-timbered house located at Oberstraße 23. The earliest documentation of Im Roten Hahn (Red Rooster) appears in the Stadtbuch from 1425, Ratingen’s official legal record.
The residence was renovated around 1500 in the Late Gothic style, and its protruding upper floor makes it an appealing photo opportunity, extending nearly a meter over the street and enhancing the building’s unique charm. Im Roten Hahn operates as a restaurant, offering diners the chance to experience a meal within a 500-year-old establishment.
8. Museum Ratingen
Adjacent to the old walls, Ratingen’s city museum contrasts with the historic architecture in the vicinity. Established in 1978, the building features stark concrete walls and exposed ventilation ducts, reflecting the contemporary Pompidou-style architecture of the time. This modern design is fitting for the museum’s primary exhibitions, which focus on painting, sculpture, and graphic art from the post-World War II era to the present day.
Special emphasis is placed on the abstract sculptor and painter Peter Brüning, who resided in Ratingen and was a significant member of the influential Group 53, passing away at a young age in 1970.
9. Blauer See
On the eastern side of Cromford Park lies a former limestone quarry that was flooded and transformed into a recreational area in the 1930s. The main attraction is the boating lake, which is ten meters deep and surrounded by man-made bluffs that rise 25 meters high.
Those choosing to rent a boat may notice shimmering dolomite streaks interspersed within the limestone. Families will find plenty of entertainment options at Blauer See, as the area offers attractions such as a mini golf course, a “fairytale zoo,” and a miniature train.
10. Bürgerhaus am Markt
This modestly designed structure in the marketplace served as the nucleus of municipal and political activity in Ratingen for centuries. It represented the city’s autonomy during the Middle Ages and the determination of Ratingen’s affluent citizens to participate in governance.
City council meetings were held here, developing legislation on matters ranging from general administration to trading regulations, law enforcement, and city defense. In contemporary times, the Bürgerhaus operates as a traditional restaurant.
11. Wildpark Grafenberger Wald
Ratingen is situated on the northern edge of the Düsseldorf City Forest, which encompasses a sprawling 2,500-hectare area of oak and beech forests, featuring nature reserves, golf courses, and various attractions for visitors. One notable site, a short drive from Ratingen, is the Wildpark Grafenberger Wald, nestled within its own 100-hectare forest.
Within this tranquil woodland, paddocks are home to fallow deer, mouflons, raccoons, lynxes, and wild boars. A particularly captivating time to visit is late autumn, coinciding with the mating season of the fallow deer. Visitors are permitted to bring suitable food for the animals, including potatoes, apples, kohlrabi, carrots, acorns, and chestnuts.
12. Neanderthal Museum
Located just 15 minutes south of Ratingen lies the precise excavation site where the initial remains of Neanderthal Man were discovered in a limestone quarry in 1856. The bilingual Neanderthal Museum, established in 1996, showcases a variety of models representing Neanderthal life, informed by fossils located nearby.
A spiraling ramp guides visitors through four floors, presenting the narrative of this primitive human species and how humans arrived in Europe from the savannahs. The museum also provides a chronological overview of human development, highlighting crucial milestones such as tool invention, the emergence of religion, agricultural practices, and societal evolution.
Nearby, visitors can explore the original site of the Neanderthal discovery and stroll through a garden trail adorned with art installations and enclosures for wild horses and aurochs.
13. Evangelische Stadtkirche Ratingen
The city recognized a Protestant congregation quite early on; by 1565, residents conducted services in private homes or traveled to nearby Kettwig and Homberg. In 1668, the reformed community received a plot for a church, which was completed in 20 years.
The prominent western tower on Lintorfer Straße is a more recent Neo-Romanesque addition from 1856. Originally, the interior was Baroque; however, it has evolved over time, with the last major refurbishment occurring in 1966. The organ located in the gallery was also renovated during this time, although its exquisite Baroque casing dates back to 1736 and was relocated from a different church.
14. Wasserburg Haus zum Haus
Adjacent to Cromford Park, on the west side, lies a moated castle built in 1276 after its predecessor was lost to fire. Haus zum Haus was part of a series of fortifications north of Ratingen and was reinforced with a bailey in the 16th century. By the 20th century, the castle fell into disrepair and became unoccupied until it was gifted to the city and subsequently restored.
Now, Haus zum Haus serves as a cultural center, concert venue, and office space. Until recently, the keep housed a restaurant. Visitors can leisurely explore the property, following the gentle banks of the Angerbach stream while observing peacocks wandering the grounds.
15. Düsseldorf
Board the S6 S-Bahn at Ratingen Ost station, and you’ll arrive at the vibrant, creative city of Düsseldorf within just 15 minutes. The Altstadt offers an impressive array of 300 bars, cafes, and nightclubs packed into a mere half square kilometer, perfect for those wishing to experience the nightlife.
Additionally, the scenic promenade along the Rhine is a picturesque setting for a leisurely stroll. Düsseldorf’s upscale identity is epitomized by the Königsallee, a canal-side boulevard featuring luxurious boutiques and brands. To enhance your visit, consider pairing your Altbier with traditional Rhenish fare, such as Senfrostbraten (mustard roast beef), Schweinshaxe (roasted ham hock), and Rheinischer Sauerbraten (a type of beef stew with raisins).
