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Just 100 meters from the bustling Altstadt, the Stiftsplatz offers a tranquil atmosphere. Walking along Lambertusstraße near the intersection with Liefergasse, look for the historic house at Liefergasse 1. Its well-preserved, ornate facade is considered one of the finest examples of traditional architecture in the old town.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Built with bricks in the style of the Lower Rhine Gothic, it is a landmark of Düsseldorf. The church-hall was the last residence of St. Apollinaris, the city’s patron. A particular characteristic is the winding tower. Although there are legends saying they used wet arbors for reconstruction after a fire in 1815, locals know better. They say that about 100 years ago, a bride dressed in a snow-white wedding dress came to the altar pretending to be a virgin. Being ashamed, the tower turned aside. They also say that it will straighten again if a real virgin appears at the altar. As you can clearly see, the tower is still twisted. But the fact is, the citizens love their twisted tower. After the war, it was reconstructed as twisted as it was before.
Stadterhebungsmonument
An artwork of Bert Gerresheim, donated by the society “Düsseldorfer Jonges” on occasion of the 700th anniversary of the foundation of the town. It is a kaleidoscope of local history, starting on left side with the cruel battle of Worringen, the signing of foundation documents by the earl of Berg in the middle and several scenes on right side including 4 popes. Among them we see Nikolaus IV raising St. Lambertus Church to a canon monastery. A market scene is shown, but also trade goods of Düsseldorf. The monument is full of symbols. You should go nearby and take account of details. You also should go some steps back. Mind the men following the apocalyptic horse riders on the left side. Their arms form the number 1288, the year of the battle of Worringen. During the battle, the Earl of Berg, Adolf V, fought against the Archbishop of Cologne, Sigfried of Westerburg. The citizens of Düsseldorf and the citizens of Cologne united in backing Adolf V (ironically in view of their future rivalry). The battle ended with the victory of the earl and the citizens.
northern Düssel
On the right hand of the monument is a little river, named the northern Düssel. It gave the city its name (Düsseldorf means village at Düssel). The balustrade is an artwork of Bert Gerreshein too. It is also full of symbols.
The shipping museum in the old castle tower.
Castle Square
At the old town limits next to Rhine. Here was the erstwhile castle of the Earls of Berg, the later duke of Jülich-Kleve-Berg. The castle was later reconstructed as a baroque palace, which burned down in 1872. In 1888 the ruins were removed completely, and only a tower was left. Today the tower houses an inland navigation museum. The coffee-shop in the towers top offers a grand view onto the Rhine and the ships passing by. The square won an award as one of the nicest squares in Germany after World War II.
Radschlägerbrunnen
Radschläger wolle mer blieve, wie jeck et de Mensche och drieve (local dialect: "we will stay cartwheelers, however crazy the world might be") is the legend of the fountain. It is under some wonderful old plane trees. The cartwheeler is a popular symbol within Düsseldorf and cartwheeling an old tradition. According to legend, after winning the War of Worringen, the Earl of Berg said to the boys waiting for their fathers, “Show me that you're happy about your fathers' return”, and they began cartwheeling. Even today this tradition is continued by annual competitions.