Online-Card - Wesel

Wesel, the lively an lovable district town by the Rhine and the Lippe, offers a wide spectrum of nature, culture, leisure, relaxation and places of interest. The fact that Wesel lies in an ideal position at the point where the Lippe flows into the Rhine was one of the reasons for the economic flourish of Wesel during the Middle Ages. This important factor enabled Wesel to be promoted to Town status by the young Earl Ditrich of Cleve in the Year 1241, thus providing the population of Wesel with certain priviledges. At its peak during the late Middle ages Wesel and Cologne were amongst the most prestigious members of the inland "Hanseatic League". Wesels membership continued until the end of the year 1669.

For centuries, protestant Wesel gave political and religious protection to refugees from the Nether-lands. To thank Wesel a delegation from the Netherlands communities presented the magistrate with two splendid cups. The inscription on them reads „Vesalia hopitalis“ and the hanseatic town of Wesel still feels committed to this day.

Wesel knows how to hold a celebration. Many annual events prove Wesel is a lively town. The PPP-Town-Festival during the first weekend in August presents one fo the largest Fleamarkets in the region and the unique fireworks display „Füer op de Rhin“. The traditionel Schützenfest (Rifleclub celebration) or the Historical Hansetic Festival during the last weekend in October are other large events in Wesel.

The Hanseatic town of Wesel puts special emphasis on leisure and relaxation. It offers its visitors attractive recreational areas, with 75 kilometers of cycle routes and footpaths. A well developed traffic-free cycling and walking network lead through the Rhine meadow and into Wesel´s surrounding woodlands, a wonderful terrain for the cyclist. Within easy reach by train or car, Wesel is an ideal base from which to plan an enjoyable and scenic cycel ride.