Kaiserswerth Düsseldorf: the old imperial palace and the oldest quarter
The ruins of Frederick Barbarossa's imperial palace, the late baroque Suitbertus quarter, and cafés along the Rhine.
Kaiserswerth is the oldest quarter of Düsseldorf, older than the city itself. While Düsseldorf received its town charter only in 1288, Kaiserswerth was already an imperial town in 1181 and a seat of the Hohenstaufen emperors.
Frederick Barbarossa's imperial palace
The most important monument here is the ruin of the imperial palace, built in 1184 under Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa as a strategic fortress on the Rhine. Once among the strongest fortifications on the river, it was blown up by French troops in 1702 during the War of the Spanish Succession.
The late baroque Suitbertus quarter
Around the 12th-century collegiate church of St Suitbertus, a largely intact late baroque quarter has survived: collegiate houses from the 17th and 18th centuries, cobbled streets, white facades with green shutters.
Im Schiffchen — the famous address
One of the best-known fine dining restaurants in Germany. Jean-Claude Bourgueil, its chef de cuisine, held two Michelin stars for more than 30 years. Reserve four to six weeks ahead.
Frequently asked questions about Kaiserswerth
Frequently asked questions
- When was Kaiserswerth founded?
- Kaiserswerth was already an imperial town and a seat of the Hohenstaufen emperors in 1181, making it older than Düsseldorf itself.
- What is there to see in Kaiserswerth?
- The ruins of Frederick Barbarossa's imperial palace, the collegiate church of St Suitbertus, the late baroque collegiate quarter and the restaurant Im Schiffchen.
- How long does it take from the city centre to Kaiserswerth?
- 25 minutes on the U79, or 90 minutes by KD Rhine cruise.
- What does the name Kaiserswerth mean?
- Emperor's Werth, where Werth means an island or peninsula in the river. The quarter was originally a peninsula surrounded by the Rhine.
Experience Düsseldorf — from the hotel.
31 rooms in Friedrichstadt, within walking distance of Königsallee and the Rhine. Book directly with the hotel for the best rate, with cancellation terms that depend on the rate.