Germany’s oldest city, Neuss is primarily known for its historic Roman sites, as well as the annual Neusser Bürger-Schützenfest. This historical gem is teeming with churches and museums and superb for those taking a holiday in Germany to appreciate its art and culture. Read on to find all the most interesting places and activities to experience in Neuss.
1. Explore an important pilgrimage site in the Middle Ages
Historical and religious artifacts abound in the Basilica of St. Quirinus. Such include a golden shrine that holds the bones of St. Quirinus, a Roman officer martyred in the second century. The church was an important pilgrimage site in the Middle Ages for the Catholics and is a must see attraction for those who wish to explore the history of Catholicism.
Architecturally, the basilica is also outstanding. Hailed as one of the best examples of Romanesque churches in Germany, it has a strong Lombard influence and shows the first signs of Gothic.
Basilica of St. Quirinus
Address: Münsterpl., 41460 Neuss, Germany
2. Shop till you drop at the Rheinpark-Center
The shopping center boasts a total of about 140 retail stores, spread over three levels. Isn’t that a huge variety for all the shoppers in us? Besides retail and dining, the mall offers periodic activities for shoppers. For example, in May 2017, there is a climbing event for children, sure to excite your kids while you shop away.
Be sure to spend an evening here buying some souvenirs and indulging in a scrumptious meal.
Rheinpark-Center
Address: Breslauer Str. 2-4, 41460 Neuss, Germany
Website: Rheinpark Center
3. Visit a museum highly respected among art enthusiasts: Clemens Sels Museum
The Clemens Sels Museum possesses a curious variety of art and art history with pieces from Roman history to medieval art. Alongside major paintings from the Middle Ages and by 17th-century Dutch painters, the works by the Nazarenes, Pre-Raphaelites and Symbolists make it a collection unique in Germany. Also represented are the Rhineland Expressionists with a superb selection of paintings, prints and stained glass. Additionally, the Museum has comprehensive holdings of paintings and sculptures by Naïve artists who occupy an entirely distinct position within the art of the 20th century.
The contemporary art color painting is another focus of the Museum’s collection. Other sections give insight into pre- and early modern history, the historical and economic development of the city of Neuss and the rise of regional bourgeois culture. The archaeological department has fascinating finds from the Roman military camp in Neuss, which was built in 16 BC.
This is an interesting visit for those looking into the aspect of art history. Rated 4.5/5 on TripAdvisor, with reviews praising its symbolism, the Clemens Sels Museum is a must see. At 5 Euros per admission, the museum is also highly affordable for the quality it deserves. Feel free to rent an audio guide for 3 EUR (3.5 USD) and a deposit of 20 EUR (22.50 USD).
Clemens Sels Museum
Address: Am Obertor, 41460 Neuss, Germany
Website: Clemens Sels Museum
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4. Head to the nearby Dusseldorf for a festive Christmas market
If you are visiting during Christmas, be sure to catch one of Germany’s famous festive Christmas markets! Every year Düsseldorf’s Christmas Market opens its “gingerbread houses” for your viewing and patronage. Activities include a huge outdoor ice rink offering fun for the whole family. Ice skating is free and there are plenty of instructors and childcare facilities. It is a great way to burn off that excess mulled wine and pastries!
The “Sternchenmarkt,” or Little Star Market, at the Stadtbrückchen is idyllically located in the courtyard of the Wilhelm-Marx-Haus. It has wondrous illuminations that light up the night sky and is a breathtaking view, seemingly transporting you to a magical land. Looking to do a little shopping? On the Marktplatz in front of the historic town hall, numerous nostalgic huts offer arts and crafts.
Enjoy the festive spirit with your children in the Schadowplatz, which is particularly family friendly with a merry-go-round and special activities for children. XXL-sized Santa Claus hats, reindeer and colored lights adorn the huts on Schadowstraße. A walk along the world-famous Königsallee is particularly worthwhile. Here, a thousand brilliant lights illuminate the giant chestnut trees lining the boulevard.
Dusseldorf Christmas Market
Address: Germany / North Rhine-Westphalia / Dusseldorf
Website: Dusseldorf Christmas Market
5. Ski your way through snowy wonderlands
The Jever Fun Ski Hall offers skiing and tobogganing, which run all year round. Hooray for those visiting in the summer months! For beginners, the in-house ski school offers ski and snowboard courses too, so you won’t miss out! In the gastronomy of the hall, there are regular parties called apres-ski parties that are highly praised for its rustic atmosphere, perfect for you to enjoy the best night ever.
Roughly, there are 0.4 kilometers (0.2 miles) of slopes available and three lifts transport the guests. The winter sports area is situated between the elevations of 60 (197 feet) and 110 meters (361 feet). This might be a gauge for you skiers out there who know what you are playing with.
Feel free to book a night at one of the adjacent resorts or hotels to fully experience the snowy wonderland.
Jever Fun Ski Hall
Address: 41472 Neuss, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Website: Jever Fun Ski Hall
6. Admire oriental and modern art at Langen Foundation
The Langen Foundation is one of a kind in Germany. Located on the grounds of the Museum Insel Hombroich aforementioned, it is designed by Japanese architect Tadao Ando. The foundation showcases a collection of Oriental Art and Modern Art. The foundation presents 500 works dating from the 12th to the 19th century, from major artists like Paul Cézanne, Max Beckmann, Andy Warhol, Mark Rothko, Jean Dubuffet, Francis Bacon and Sigmar Polke. In addition, the collection owners closely followed the Zero movement. Artists like Heinz Mack, Otto Piene and Günther Uecker from the Langens’ Düsseldorf environment became part of the collection, as did Lucio Fontana and Yves Klein.
Langen Foundation
Address: Raketenstation Hombroich 1, 41472 Neuss, Germany
Website: Langen Foundation
7. Attend a local marksmen festival: Schützenfest
Organized annually on the last weekend in August (August 25 to 29 in 2017), the Schützenfest is an event not to miss. With more than 7,500 parading marksmen, it is regarded as the largest marksmen’s festival in the world that is organized by a single association. The marksmen’s festival with its royal parade, several processions, royal shooting competition and a great number of accompanying events is a social highlight of the city of Neuss and the surrounding area and attracts up to a million visitors each year.
Listen to congratulatory songs such as the “Fair, Fair, you of the Neusser Freud and Lust,” a well known song.The citizens celebrate with guests from all over Germany, even the whole world.
Schützenfest
Website: Schützenfest
8. Visit this amalgamation of art, architecture and nature: Museum Insel Hombroich
Being both a park and a museum, the Museum Insel Hombroich is the perfect combination of the natural scenery in Neuss and its art history. Notable artists featured there include German art from the collection of Karl-Heinrich Müller, among them works by Hans Arp, Alexander Calder, Rembrandt, Kurt Schwitters and works from early China. The museum is also highly significant for including the “Kirkeby-Feld” and the “Raketenstation” (“rocket station”), a disused NATO missile base.
Clearly exuding a sense of free discovery, Museum Insel Hombroich is a special place away from the bustle of daily routine and fashionable trends. It is an invitation to enter into the adventure of a direct encounter with art and nature. The Museum dispenses with sign posts altogether – visitors are free to find their own way in the extensive parkland and make their own discoveries of art and nature alike. This freedom of the spirit is at the heart of the Museum’s particular charm.
Entrance fees are 15 EUR (17 USD) on weekdays and 20 EUR (23 USD) on weekends.
Museum Insel Hombroich
Address: Minkel 2, 41472 Neuss-Holzheim, Germany
Website: Museum Insel Hombroich
Shop, learn and admire the beauty that resides in Neuss, Germany
With the diversity of activities and attractions in Neuss, you are sure to have a fulfilling holiday! Do check out the attractions and have the best time in Neuss.
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