The Royal Alley // Konigsallee is the main street of the city. Citizens call it just “Koe” (from “Koenigsallee). Strictly speaking, this is a boulevard set in a striking contrast from other shopping streets in Germany. The boulevard is divived into two parts by a small canal, with banks and financial institutions located on the one side, and elite shops, hotels and restaurants – on the other.
The Royal Alley was set in the very beginning of 19th c. in the place of an old castle wall. At first it was called “New Alley” or “Chestnut Alley”. In 1848, when entire Europe was engulfed in revolutionary events, the Prussian king Friedrich Wilhelm IV was scattered with horse dung by radical citizens during his passage through the alley. Three years later, in an attempt to make it up to the king, Duesseldorf government decided to change the alley's name to Royal.
Today this is Duesseldorf's most expensive place, taking pride in its boutiques and 5-star hotels.