The German word "dorf" means village, and "Dusseldorf" means "Village at the River Duessel". The first written mention of the town Dusseldorf was in the year 1135, when the city was nothing more than a fishing village. At that time the viallage was ruled by Emperor Friedrich Barbarossa. In the year 1288 there was a struggle for power between the archbishop of Cologne and the Count Berg. The Count won and gave the town city rights. Dusseldorf gecame a cosmopolitan city under the rule of Johann Willem II, better know as Jan Wellem. He collected art and brought musicians, painters and sculptures here, and it really is because of him that the city is still known as a city of arts and culture. Because he died without having had any children, the city fell under the rule of Munich and was neglected.
By the mid 19th century, things became better because of the industrial revoltion. The city grew from 100,000 people in 1882 to 200,000 people ten years later. It is said that if you bought a vanilla ice cream, it turned balck before you could eat it. The Second World War brought great destruction leaving the city about 90% destroyed.
Today the city is importnat for broadcasting, art and stock exchanges. Dusseldorf is known as the city of fashion and is is no wonder that it is also nicknamed as "Petit Paris". Dusseldorf is also particularly well known for its lively old town, especially in the evenings. Along the river front there is what is known as the longest bar in Europe due to the fact that there is one pub after another in the old town. Thousands of people flock each work day to the many bars and pubs from the surrounding area, especially from the Ruhr District, the most heavily industrialized area in all of Europe.
The Amadagio docks within walking idstance from the center of the old town which is very convenient and efficient in keeping with German culture.
The Dussel River flowing through the city center - not quite the Rhine!
Yes it was still cold in Dusseldorf!
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