The Most Beautiful Buildings in Düsseldorf

Neuer Zollhof, by the Rhine harbor, is probably the most unique component of the modern and redeveloped Düsseldorf skyline. It is made of three buildings designed by American architect Frank O. Gehry. The curving façade of the buildings lend them the look and feel of giant sculptures, while the stainless steel exterior of the middle building reflects the white plaster and red brick façades of the its counterparts. Overall, the Gehry buildings make for an exciting backdrop for holiday photos.

Kaiserpfalz, the ruins of Emperor Friedrich Barbarossa’s ‘Royal Palace’, is an exciting place to explore. The thick historic walls of the palace can be traced back to the 10th century, and even today makes for an impressive sight, complemented by the lush greenery of its surroundings.

The elegant Schloss Jägerhof, with a tower and two wings, adorns a corner of one of the most beautiful gardens in the city, Hofgarten. The earliest existence of the castle can be traced back to the mid-18th century. Today, the castle houses the Goethe Museum, displaying a comprehensive collection of artefacts from the life and era of legendary literary figure, Goethe.

This castle tower has stood witness to centuries of history. Its existence as a simpler castle than it is today can be traced back to 1288. As the city of Düsseldorf grew steadily over the following century, the castle came to occupy its position in the heart of the town. In the 16th century, during the era of the dukes of Jülich-Kleve-Berg, it was rebuilt into a splendid three-winged castle with two towers. The following two centuries saw a complete renovation of the interiors in Baroque style. The castle fell victim to French bombing in 1794, a devastating fire in 1872 and an air attack in 1943. Each time, it was rebuilt out of its ashes. Today, the castle tower houses an interesting maritime museum open to the public.

Schloss Benrath, designed by the then court architect Nicolas de Pigage, is a beautiful Baroque-style palace adorning the city since the mid-18th century. It is complemented by sprawling and immaculately-maintained formal gardens, pathways flanked by towering trees and a pond. Formerly the residence of the Elector Palatine, today the palace is a museum offering guided public tours.

The Carsch Haus, a gorgeous building with a neoclassical sandstone facade and a distinct Art Nouveau influence, is a popular shopping center. The building was heavily damaged during World War II. After its reconstruction, it housed a community college library and later a theater, before being converted to a shopping mall once again. In recent times, the interior has been thoroughly modernized, while the exterior still retains its historic charm.