Excursions in Wesel am Niederrhein

For many years, Wesel was an important commercial center on the river connecting Amsterdam and Cologne, but today it is also a popular and thriving tourist destination. It still lives up to the title "Hospitable Wesel" that it was first awarded in 1578.

The Hanseatic City of "Wesel am Rhein“ became part of the District in 1975. Around 75% of the 22 square kilometers falling within its boundaries are composed of agricultural land, water and forests.

Its suburbs are Bislich, Büderich,Flüren and Obrighoven / Lackhausen. Some 64,200 residents live within its boundaries.

Wesel is one of 11 towns that were located along the Migration Route that ran across Nordrhein-Westfalens. As a mark of appreciation for granting them refuge from persecution by the Spanish in 1578, the town received an award from the Refugee communities of the "Geussenbecher". This is me with two trophies by the Cologne goldsmith Gilles Sibrecht, which are on display in the Municipal Museum.

The Old Water Tower in Wesel was controversially converted into an exhibition area to attract visitors to the town. The Exhibitions are regularly changed, and run under the name of "Art in the Tower".

Up until 1956, this was still in operation as "Waterworks“ serving the town of Wesel. Today, after restoration, it forms a fascinating exhibition space, and is very popular with the town’s visitors.

In Bislich, you can find the Heritage Museum of Wesel. Since 1983, this has been the home of exhibits recording the lives of workers and craftsmen from the area, as well as artefacts demonstrating the day to day lives and handcrafts of ordinary people. There are a huge number of fascinating things to look at here. In the adjoining Dyke Museum, the "Rhine“ itself forms the theme. The exhibition explain how the area was protected from flooding by "Dykes“ and how the Rhine was charted for "Navigation." Artefacts demonstrating the historical development of the "Fishing Industry“ are also displayed and described. One of the most treasured exhibits is a bronze statue called the "Lüttinger Knave“, which was found in the Rhine by a salmon fisherman in 1858. Replicas of this small statue of a small boy, are very popular souvenirs for visitors.

The literal translation of "Wesel" is ‘Celebrate as they Fall".
Beginning at the Time of Fools, every Carnival Sunday, in the Lower Hall, the town’s motto is celebrated by the " Order of the Ass “ award ceremony . Everyone present is asked: What is the Mayor of Wesel? "AN ASS“ … everyone responds. The joke appeals to the local sense of humor, and is aimed directly at the most asinine official decision made over the previous year. Obviously, if there is a chance that you could be awarded this Order, you would try to do your duty in your period of office, as you would not want to have to declare a title like this to the world!

Lets continue into June. On the first weekend of the month, we celebrate by holding the "Gourmet Festival“ . At the Berlin Gate, in the center of the town, visitors are treated to a cavalcade of Gourmet delights, fashion shows, live music and a host of other staged events for three days.

Something completely different is arranged for the month of August. In Wesler’s Yachting Harbor, the annual "Dragon boat Race“ is held. On the Kornmarkt, live bands entertain music lovers on two stages, whilst on the Promenade, carousels and sideshows are laid on for entertainment and fun. The Grand Finale is held on Saturday evening, ending with a spectacular firework display at 22:00.

With dozens of events held simultaneously in the town center’s various galleries, theatres and even its churches, Septembers’ "Culture Night" offers a delight for Culture-Lovers. "Culture Night“ offers everything your heart could wish for.

And so it continues..with the "Historic Hanseatic Festival“ which is held in October, and the "Christmas Market “ in December.