Lower-Rhine Valley

Regional Overview

Rhineland Renewal

The Lower Rhine valley was once the cosmopolitan cultural heartland of the Holy Roman Empire. However, virtually nothing survives of the prewar Rhineland. While Germany rebuilt the great factories and cities in the visage of a new era, you can only glimpse the ancient past in individual monuments and a few small villages.

Regional Identity

What to Lookout For

  • The Late Romanesque and Early Gothic Churches of Staufen Empire
  • The architecture of the Industrial Revolution
  • The Hidden Villages of the Eifel Forest and the architectural ties to Cologne.

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Justin Bunch | CityscapeTravel My suggested travel destinations with the top three destinations highlighted.

What is the Lower Rhineland?

In Germany, travel through the Lower Rhine is synonymous with post-industrial gray depression. Except for Carnival, most Germans would never consider a trip to the region as a holiday, only as some form of punishment. In fact, the Lower Rhine has a great deal on offer, it’s just not as easily accessible, and many destinations may be of only particular interest. From the modern but unique metropolis of Düsseldorf to the carefully reconstructed Roman and Medieval citadels of Xanten, there is still something worth seeing.

Regional Overview

Interactive Map

Thematic Tours of the Region

The Rhenish Golden Age

The Rhenish Golden Age

For a brief century in the high middle ages Cologne was at the center of Europe. The cultural pull of the city was immense and cities as far away as Antwerp and Strasbourg would feel its influence. This guide takes you to largest examples of this North-Rhenish – Colognian style of Romanesque architecture.
Forgotten Cityscapes of the Rhineland

Forgotten Cityscapes of the Rhineland

Here’s my list of the best corners of the Lower-Rhine valley. Here you can explore the bits of surviving architectural heritage in their various forms. From the soaring Altenberg Cathedral to the romantic village in Monschau, the Lower-Rhine still has much hidden beauty.

Cities of the Lower Rhine

Hiking in the Region

Hike: Battle of Hürtgenwald – Kall Valley

Hike: Battle of Hürtgenwald – Kall Valley

The Battle of Hürtgenwald was a rare Allied Defeat on the Western Front in WWII. Unlike other failed campaigns such as Market Garden or Kasserine…

Hike: Battle of Hürtgenwald – Valley of Death

Hike: Battle of Hürtgenwald – Valley of Death

The Battle of Hürtgenwald was a rare Allied Defeat on the Western Front in WWII. Unlike other failed campaigns such as Market Garden or Kasserine…

Hike: Fragments of the Westwall

Hike: Fragments of the Westwall

The Westwall or the Siegfried Line was Nazi Germany’s last ditched effort to defend its core territory. Though construction started in the interwar period, most…

Hiking: Panorama of Xanten

Hiking: Panorama of Xanten

This is less of a hike and more of a guided walking tour of Xanten. The goal here is to get all of the interesting…

Traditional Recipies

My Quantitative Travel Rankings

To understand where the categories come from, see this article here.

Social Score

5.6 / 10

The score is based on the following:

  • Hype: 5.4
  • Growth: 3.5
  • Wealth: 6.1
  • Recognition: 7.1
Ease of Travel

6.3 / 10

The score is based on the following:

  • Accommodation: 3.3
  • Transportation: 8.3
  • Ease of Planning: 4.1
  • Infrastructure: 8.0
  • Interactivity: 7.1
  • Airport: Yes
Historical Immersion

4.2 / 10

The score is based on the following:

  • Historical Context: 2.5
  • Monuments: 10
  • Quality*: 1.0
  • Landscape: 5.3
  • Vineyards: 3.4
Authenticity

5.5 / 10

The score is based on the following:

  • Undiscovered: 3.4
  • Cultural Immersion: 5.5
  • Tradition*: 10

Navigation

Rhine-Maas

A tale of two rivers and two revolutions

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