MedienHafen (Media Harbour), Dusseldorf (must see)

MedienHafen, or the Media Harbour in English, sits on the banks of the Rhine River. The renovation of the old harbor, which was previously occupied by warehouses and abandoned buildings, led to a lively, exciting and modern area. Media Harbour is frequented by locals as well as tourists who want to see the best of Duesseldorf's art and culture.

The harbor's renovation began in the 1990s. Arguably the most spectacular view in the harbor is that of New Zollhof. Also known as the Gehry Buildings, New Zollhof stands out on the shoreline. Likewise, the Rheinturm (Rhine Tower) is located in Media Harbour. This tallest building in the city has an excellent restaurant and an observation deck.

Another prominent landmark in the Media Harbour is the Energie-Pyramide. The public artwork was crafted by sculptors Thomas Schonauer and Berend F. van Laar in 1988. It is made of stainless, igneous rock and basalt lava.

Most of the buildings in the Media Harbour are contemporary offices and media firms. There are also a number of shopping areas with fashion brands as well as restaurants, bars and a theatre. Many of these buildings are designed by internationally lauded architects, which creates an interesting mix of the old world with modern sights.

A walk along Media Harbour might include a stop at the scenic vista of Brucke am Medianhafen, or Media Harbour Bridge. Tourists may use this bridge to reach the Paradiesstrand Düsseldorf Hafen, a wildlife refuge that has a beach and a swimming area. Those who would rather focus on art and culture could try the Kunstgiesserei Kayser art center or the Arthena Foundation art gallery.