Schifffahrtsmuseum (Maritime Museum), Dusseldorf

The Maritime Museum (SchifffahrtMuseum) in Dusseldorf offers a captivating glimpse into the long and storied history of Rhine navigation. Located in the historic Castle Tower (Schlossturm), the museum is the last remnant of a once-grand 16th-century castle, later ravaged by fire and war. Since 1984, this tower, which overlooks the Rhine from Burgplatz, has housed one of Germany’s oldest collections on inland navigation.

The museum’s exhibits delve into the history of shipbuilding, river trade, and travel, as well as the Rhine’s ecology, bringing history to life with multimedia shows, historical photos, films, and archival material. The Castle Tower’s thick masonry walls and cellar vaults, with lava stones from the Middle Rhine, offer visitors a tangible sense of the past. Ascending through the museum, visitors eventually reach the observation floor, where a café provides panoramic views of the old town and the bustling activity on the river below.

The history of the Castle Tower spans centuries, beginning as a simple castle in the 13th century, then evolving under the Dukes of Julich-Kleve-Berg into a grand residence. Despite multiple rebuildings and destructions, the tower stood resilient through wars and fires, including extensive post-war restoration funded by donations from companies and residents. Today, supported by the Friends and Patrons of the Maritime Museum, it serves as both a museum and an enduring symbol of Dusseldorf’s dedication to preserving its cultural heritage.