Ratingen - modern city with historical charm

Historical Ratingen

Even though much has been blurred through time, signs of the first Ratinger go back 3000  years. At the time of the Roman Empire the region was sparsely settled and after Rome’s  decline became a bone of contention between the Christian Franks and the pagan Saxons. With the Frank victory, Christianisation was inevitable even though they clamped am missionary’s thumb. At this point the early historical settlement of Hretinga grew at regular intervals from an important crossroad to a church centre and market place an achieved its recognition as a city in 1276.
Well fortified, Ratingen resisted the turmoil of the beginning of the modern age and continued into the sixteenth century to develop into a blossoming centre. The war of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries lead to a decline in the trades turning Ratingen into a quiet country town. This serenity abruptly ended 1783 with the founding of the Cromford company. This first mechanized cotton mill on the continent indicated the beginning of the industrial revolution. Since then Ratingen has developed into what it is today.

 

Culture

The openness of the people of Ratingen is displayed in their ability to accept opposites such as is shown by the co-existence of the pagan “Stinkesberg” (the name of a hill) und the Minoritenkloster (a monastery) even though they were built during different epochs on the same location. These are precisely the fertile conditions which have allowed art and culture to flourish. Besides the historical bedrock of places such as the romantic moated castle, “Haus zum Haus”, or the “Alte Steinhaus” (the old stone house), Ratingen offers a large cultural diversity, for example, the Galerie “Trinsenturm” and the “Kunstwerkstätten am Papiermühlenweg”. Even friends of theatre and music get value for their money. The community cultural program, with it’s events, brings culture to the people at their doorstep. On the other hand, the city theatre offers productions in the usual venues also.

For those who love the unusual, they can be entertained by “Zelt Zeit” (tent time) with a multi-faceted colourful program.     

 

Leisure time Outdoors

More and more water is playing an important role in the leisure time amenities being offered. Not only in indoor or outdoor swimming pools but also in the recreation parc “Volkardey” with the “Grüne See” (Green Lake) and the conservation area “Silbersee” (Silver lake).

A further romantic natural area for relaxing is offered at the “Blaue See” (Blue Lake). Here the landscape displays a special beauty, fissured cliffs and deep forests which invite long extensive walks. All visitors will certainly have a pleasant time here. The kids can choose between pony rides, bumper cars, the carousel and an train ride for children.

Perhaps you would rather go with the entire family on the well developed bicycle and hiking paths to explore the area around Ratingen.

Of course, this trip of discovery through the beauty of nature can also be made on the lake in an row boat. Even those who enjoy riding need not abstain. An extensive network of riding paths exists for your pleasure.

 

Leisure time Indoor

Leisure time amusement takes place not just outside.
With a large offering of indoor activities one is not left dependant upon wind an weather. How about a visit to the city archives, the museum, the industrial museum Cromford or the “Oberschlesische Landesmuseum” (a heritage museum)?

Aside from space for the many different types of collector and flea markets, the city convention centre provides the optimal space for exhibits, cultural events and the presentation of cultural heritage. All these activities give one the appetite for more. Even the offering of good food and drink is extra-ordinarily rich. The gastronomy in Ratingen offers choices from the traditional knight’s meal to fine home-style cooking through to exotic specialties fit even for the distinguishing palate.

After a good meal the is nothing better than a bit of exercise. Our modern sports facilities are just what the doctor ordered.

 

Sport

In Ratingen, there is a wide variety of sport activities available.
A must to be recommended is sport and fun at one of the many clubs. They have modern facilities at their disposal and the members are at the layperson’s disposal in word and deed.
Interested persons can choose from a multitude of disciplines. How about, for example, shooting, surfing or chess? You can also go skating or watch a game of hockey in the arena.

Of course, fans also cheer on their favourites or the stars from every type of indoor competition. The annual multi-discipline track and field event offers itself in order to fulfil this. This event of international reputation is used for the qualification for i.e. The World Championships or the Olympic Games. Perhaps less intensive but certainly more relaxing would be a round of golf even if you don’t get a hole in one. The roomy grounds offered by the clubs here are highly suitable for this.

 

Landscape and Environment

Besides the wonderfully laid out sports facilities, Ratingen also offers many clean and pure natural areas.

Between the Rhine and the “Bergische Land” the landscape varies between thick forests and farm fields. Last but not least, the fields and meadows also have a large leisure time value and extend an invitation to be explored.
It is a pleasure to exercise in this landscape or just to watch the animals in their natural environment. This green and relaxing area is not all that Ratingen has to offer with regards to the environment. Already in 1998 the city council of Ratingen has, based on Agenda 21, intensely included its citizens in all questions of social, economic and ecological with regards to community planning.

In this way, all interested parties are welcome. A climate advisory board has been assisting the  environmental committee in all matters pertaining to the environment and air protection since 1998. 

 

Living and Shopping

How about shopping in a comfortable atmosphere?

The  hustle and bustle of the market has a special appeal, an appeal which can also be found in the tasteful passageways with somewhat more peace and quiet.
Even the drive in is comfortable. A large offering of parking places and a highly organized public transportation system take care of the shorter distances. The level of the wares being offered in the shops and department stores needs not shy away from being compared to that of the larger metropolises.

That goes too for living. Numerous historical houses, two moated fortresses and “Schloss Landsberg” (castle Landsberg) are evidence that the residents of the area have always known how to feel at home and settle in here.

Of course, people today want it a bit more up to date. From villas in art nouveau style to newly constructed modern neighbourhoods there is something for every taste and pocketbook.

 

Traffic Connections and Infrastructure

Regarding traffic, Ratingen has found the right balance between cars and non-motorized means of transportation. Stroll friendly pedestrian zones don’t inhibit traffic much but increase the quality of life for resident and visitor alike. In this way a bridge between a relaxed  atmosphere and mobility has been realized. And don’t forget the Düsseldorf airport in the vicinity with quick connection through the ICE (intercity express) train station. All points of destination can thusly be quickly reached regardless whether for vacation or business.

Surely one of the reasons why people have settled in Ratingen since the olden times is due to the favourable geographical location. Located in the centre of the Rhine-Ruhr region, the city is frames by a network of highways which ensure a perfect connection in all directions and a tie to the European flow of traffic and goods.

Its vicinity to the Rhine, one of the most important international shipping routes, strengthens its position as an attractive location for business.

 

Enterprise and Innovation

It’s no wonder that the economic development of Ratingen has always profited from is excellent traffic connections. Here lays, by no accident, the cradle of industrialization. Whereas in the beginning waterpower was used, so it is now that Ratingen is the location of well-known corporations even from the high-tech industry which are operating world wide.

It is surely the initiative of the enterprises and the diligence of the residents which Ratingen can thank that it can offer its 93,000 inhabitants about 40,000 work places within the entire region.

The future orientation is perhaps reliant on the fact that the trade fair cities of Düsseldorf and Essen, where innovative goods and services from all over the world are shown, lay in the immediate vicinity.

Ratingen is definitely a classic example of successful development from an early industrial society to a high-tech location.