Kaiserswerth Palace

Kaiserswerth Palace is the best known ruined palace of Düsseldorf. Initially, in the 13th century it was functioning as an abbey, then – as a pompous emperors’ residence, now it is an architectural monument.

Kaiserswerth is one of the oldest Düsseldorf quarters. Its history begins in the Middle Ages when emperors built strengthened and beautiful castles to show the authority level. The choice of the area for the building was considered. There, on the board of Rhein, the most important sea lanes took place. Friedrich Barbarossa found it good and ordered to establish on the north of the city a customs house to take merchant’s money. Later, around it, he built a fortress, one of the largest and beautiful in Europe.

Unfortunately, today we can see only ruins. The reason – constant sieges of a fortress, because it was situated in a good place and contained the gold of emperors.

But even the ruins are impressive. Its walls are 4 meters thick, they were made of grey basalt blocks in the 13th century while it was an abbey. The window frames are of beautiful red volcanic stone. In the very center of the patio, you can also see a squared basement – everything, what left from middle-aged dungeon, which was exploded in 1702. The initial size of it was 8 on 8 meters square, the high - 55 meters.

Nowadays these picturesque ruins are a perfect spot for different art exhibitions. It is interesting that some items can be left in the palace.