Photo: City Ratingen, North Rhine-Westphalia

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Ratingen: Squares, Factory, Westphalian Ham

Ratingen is a small, but proud neighbor of Düsseldorf. 75% of its area is between the Rhine, Ruhr and Wupper rivers covered with fields, parks and gardens with lots of pedestrian paths, benches and meadows for picnics. Castles, ancient churches, half-timbered houses and the Cromford textile mill- the first in Europe to use mechanical machines- were preserved in the city. Local breweries serving traditional dark beer called Altbier and treating the real Westphalian ham are also famous here.

The first settlement on the site of today’s Ratingen appeared in the remote Middle Ages. In 1276 the village was granted city rights. By the way, the nearby Düsseldorf received this status 12 years later. The citizens of Ratingen are still very proud of this fact. Many medieval buildings, including the ruins of the ramparts and several restored castles and churches have survived up to the present day in the small town with the cozy Market Square (Marktplatz). In 1783, the Cromford textile mill was opened in Ratingen. It was the first on the European continent where machine tools were used for the production of fabrics. Today this historic building houses a museum with restored spinning machines of the XVIII century.

When it comes to Ratingen’s gastronomic items of interest, you should pay attention to the Westphalian ham (Westfälischer Schinken). It is prepared according to medieval recipes of pork of pigs reared in Westphalia and fattened on special acorns. First the meat is rubbed with salt and added with spices, then smoked using only beech and juniper branches. As a result, the meat turns out very soft and fragrant, it is thinly sliced and served with rye bread, sour cream and horseradish sauce. It is recommended to eat such a "sandwich" with the local dark beer called Ratinger Altbier.

Ratingen’s residents appreciate good music. Several music festivals are held here every year: they included the folk festival called Folkerdey held in May and Voices held in November. But the most anticipated holiday of the year is August Ratingen Festival with circus performances, a market of crafts, painters’ alley, and with local delicacies treated to everyone. In November and December, the traditional Christmas market Weihnachtsmarkt Ratingen is held at Market Square.

Ratingen, surrounded by parks and medieval castles, attracts lovers of peace and provincial quiet. Here it is nice to walk in the nature and enjoy the fresh air. If you want a change of scenery, you can always visit the bustling Düsseldorf, which is just a 20-minute drive away.