First settlements on the territory of the modern Ratingen appeared three thousand years ago. At first here were located the settlements of the ancient Romans, later Franks and Saxons paid their attention to Ratingen. During the Middle Ages the city was used as a fortress, and in the late 18th century it began developing as a large industrial district. Such rich history could not have failed to be reflected in the architectural heritage of the city.
In this city you can see the pagan temple Stinkesberg and the monastery Minoritenkloster simply side by side. Both buildings are witnesses of two different eras. Among the old buildings we should also highlight Haus zum Haus Castle and Alten Steinhaus Fortress. Ratingen is certainly rich in museums and exhibition centers. You should definitely visit the local gallery and enjoy the art collections represented in Papiermühlenweg Museum.
Travellers, who prefer active rest, have an opportunity to visit one of new clubs. The choice of clubs here is quite large, so visitors can choose from surfing and archery to aristocratic golf and chess. You will also find numerous open air markets and shops in this city. The choice of products in these markets is very diverse.
The starting point of many tour programs is the Market Square. One can see many beautiful old buildings of different epochs next to the Square. One of the oldest houses is Marktplatz, built in the late 13th century. Many historical buildings are given up to national restaurants and shops at present. Nearby, is a beautiful Saints Peter and Paul church. Its foundation was laid back in the 8th century. For hundreds of years of its existence, the church has been rebuilt many times. Nowadays, its unique appearance is formed by standard features of an Early Gothic manner. This church is notable for its unique design and ancient artifacts that are kept in its walls.
One of the main cultural centers is the City Museum of Ratingen, whose exposition is divided into several thematic zones. One of them is devoted to ancient dolls and children's toys. The age of some exhibits is more than 300 years. The museum has a rich collection of porcelain, based on the works of Johann Peter Melchior. They were created in the 18th century. They often hold excellent modern exhibitions devoted to various fields of art.
A trip to the Rhine Museum of Industry of Cromford promises to be exciting. It occupies an old industrial building, where the very first textile factory in Europe was opened. Visitors to the museum are told about processing of cotton hundreds of years ago. Many old machines stored in the museum are now in good working order.
Lovers of walks to historical places will be pleased to see the castle of Linnep. It takes the name of its former owners. The Linnep family lived in the castle in the middle of the 15th century. The exact date of its construction is unknown. The first written mention dates back to the 11th century. Despite the impressive age, the building managed to preserve a lot of old elements. The oldest part of the castle is its central tower, created in Romanesque style. It was built in the 12th century. Almost the entire territory of the castle is accessible by guided tour. Since 1855, the castle is privately owned by the von Spee family, under whose guidance a new large-scale wing was built in the 19th century.
