Rees, Germany
Encyclopedia
Rees is a town in the district of Cleves in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia
, Germany
. It is located on the right bank of the Rhine, approx. 20 km east of Cleves. Population (2005): 22,559.
Founded in 1228, Rees is the oldest town in the lower Rhine area.
The neighbouring municipalities are Oude IJsselstreek
(province of Gelderland
, NL
) and Isselburg
(district of Borken
) in the North, Hamminkeln
and Wesel
in the East, Xanten
in the South (all district of Wesel
), and Kalkar
and Emmerich
in the West.
settlement established between 500-800 AD. The name Rees most probably goes back to the Franconian
term "Rys", which means "willow grove".
The Lower Rhine
area was Christianized by the Irish missionary Willibrord
between 657-739. Around 1000 the nearby monastery
of Aspel was first mentioned.
On July 14, 1228 Rees was granted municipal rights by Heinrich I von Müllenark
, Archbishop of Cologne. At that time it had about 600 inhabitants. In 1289/90 the works on a fortified city wall began, which was finished in 1350. In 1392 Rees and the monastery of Aspel became part of the County of Cleves.
During the Eighty Years War, the town was captured by Spanish troops in 1598. After the death of the last duke of Cleves in 1609, the town belonged to the Margraviate of Brandenburg
. Between 1616 and 1625 Rees was occupied by Dutch
troops, who strengthened the town into a huge fortress. In 1701 it became part of the Kingdom of Prussia
.
In 1816, Rees became capital of the newly-founded Rees District within Regierungsbezirk Kleve
. Railway access was established with the opening of the railway line Oberhausen
-Arnhem
in 1856.
During the Nazi period
, many Jewish inhabitants were deported. The only surviving monuments to centuries of Jewish life and activity in Rees are two historic Jewish cemeteries. The city was almost completely destroyed by an Allied air raid on February 16, 1945 during World War II
. It became part of North Rhine-Westphalia after the war.
, the Münsterland, and the urban Ruhr Area
, from where Rees can be easily accessed via the Autobahn A3 in approx. 30 minutes. Boat tours on the Rhine river (e.g. to Nijmegen, Netherlands
) can be taken from the small shipping pier. The town offers a motorhome
park, as well as three campsites and many bicycling routes.
The municipal Koenraad-Bosman-Museum provides varying exhibitions on town history and arts.
In the town center, there are many affectionately restored wells and water pumps that have become recognizable landmarks. An annual Pumpenkirmes (Ger., "pump fair") celebrates their former role as places for work and gossip.
Near the river bank, there are many remains of the ancient city fortification. Several casemates have been restored and are open to the public. Quite remarkable, though not publicly accessible, is a Jewish cemetery uniquely situated on the top of the wall. Because Jews in medieval Rees were forbidden from being buried within the city walls, a cemetery was built atop the wall itself to protect the graves from floods and enemies.
The town has a sculpture park where artists from Germany and the Netherlands are exhibited.
The facilities of the SV (Sportverein) Rees have been used by several national and international soccer teams, most memorably playing host to the national team of Cameroon
in 2002.
Haldern is venue of the Haldern Pop
festival, which takes place every August and attracts indie music artists from all over the world as well as thousands of enthusiastic fans.
is located about 4 km from city center and is connected northbound to Emmerich
and southbound to Wesel
-Oberhausen
-Duisburg
-Düsseldorf
-Cologne
-Bonn
-Koblenz
. From the station, there is a bus line downtown.
For pedestrians and bicyclists, transfer across the Rhine is provided by two ferries from Easter holidays through October.
: ca. 75 km
Distance to Airport Weeze
(low cost carriers only): ca. 35 km
North Rhine-Westphalia
North Rhine-Westphalia is the most populous state of Germany, with four of the country's ten largest cities. The state was formed in 1946 as a merger of the northern Rhineland and Westphalia, both formerly part of Prussia. Its capital is Düsseldorf. The state is currently run by a coalition of the...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. It is located on the right bank of the Rhine, approx. 20 km east of Cleves. Population (2005): 22,559.
Founded in 1228, Rees is the oldest town in the lower Rhine area.
Organization and neighbouring municipalities
Rees is administratively organized in eight communities:- Community of Bienen
- Community of Empel
- Community of Esserden
- Community of Haffen
- Community of Haldern
- Community of Mehr
- Community of Millingen
- Community of Rees
The neighbouring municipalities are Oude IJsselstreek
Oude IJsselstreek
Oude IJsselstreek is a municipality in the eastern Netherlands. It came into existence on 1 January, 2005 through a merger of the former municipalities Gendringen and Wisch.- Geography and population centres :...
(province of Gelderland
Gelderland
Gelderland is the largest province of the Netherlands, located in the central eastern part of the country. The capital city is Arnhem. The two other major cities, Nijmegen and Apeldoorn have more inhabitants. Other major regional centers in Gelderland are Ede, Doetinchem, Zutphen, Tiel, Wijchen,...
, NL
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
) and Isselburg
Isselburg
Isselburg is a town in the district of Borken, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located on the river Issel, near the border with the Netherlands, and approximately 10 km west of Bocholt.-Division:...
(district of Borken
Borken (district)
Borken is a Kreis in the northwestern part of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany in the Region Münsterland. Neighboring districts are Bentheim, Steinfurt, Coesfeld, Recklinghausen, Wesel, Cleves, and the Dutch provinces Gelderland and Overijssel....
) in the North, Hamminkeln
Hamminkeln
Hamminkeln is a town in the district of Wesel, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is situated on the river Issel, approximately 10 kilometers north of Wesel. It is twinned with Sedgefield, United Kingdom...
and Wesel
Wesel
Wesel is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is the capital of the Wesel district.-Division of the town:Suburbs of Wesel include Lackhausen, Obrighoven, Ginderich, Feldmark,Fusternberg, Büderich, Flüren and Blumenkamp.-History:...
in the East, Xanten
Xanten
Xanten is a historic town in the North Rhine-Westphalia state of Germany, located in the district of Wesel.Xanten is known for the Archaeological Park or archaeological open air museum , its medieval picturesque city centre with Xanten Cathedral and many museums, its large man-made lake for...
in the South (all district of Wesel
Wesel (district)
Wesel is a Kreis in the northwestern part of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Neighboring districts are Borken, Recklinghausen, district-free cities Bottrop, Oberhausen, Duisburg and Krefeld, districts Viersen, Cleves.-History:...
), and Kalkar
Kalkar
Kalkar is a municipality in the district of Kleve, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located near the Rhine, approx. 10 km south-east of Cleves. The most famous building of Kalkar is its church St...
and Emmerich
Emmerich
Emmerich am Rhein; , meaning Emmerich at the Rhine is a city on the lower part of the River Rhine in the northwest of the German federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia...
in the West.
History
The origin of the town is a FrankishFranks
The Franks were a confederation of Germanic tribes first attested in the third century AD as living north and east of the Lower Rhine River. From the third to fifth centuries some Franks raided Roman territory while other Franks joined the Roman troops in Gaul. Only the Salian Franks formed a...
settlement established between 500-800 AD. The name Rees most probably goes back to the Franconian
Franconian
Franconian may refer to:*anything related to Franconia , a historic region in Germany, now part of Bavaria, Thuringia and Baden-Württemberg*Franconian languages*Franconian , a stage in North American stratigraphy...
term "Rys", which means "willow grove".
The Lower Rhine
Lower Rhine
The Lower Rhine flows from Bonn, Germany, to the North Sea at Hoek van Holland, Netherlands.Almost immediately after entering the Netherlands, the Rhine splits into many branches. The main branch is called the Waal which flows from Nijmegen to meet the river Meuse; after which it is called Merwede...
area was Christianized by the Irish missionary Willibrord
Willibrord
__notoc__Willibrord was a Northumbrian missionary saint, known as the "Apostle to the Frisians" in the modern Netherlands...
between 657-739. Around 1000 the nearby monastery
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
of Aspel was first mentioned.
On July 14, 1228 Rees was granted municipal rights by Heinrich I von Müllenark
Heinrich I von Müllenark
Heinrich I von Müllenark was the Archbishop of Cologne within the Holy Roman Empire from 1225 until 1237.-Life:Little is known of Heinrich's life before being elected archbishop...
, Archbishop of Cologne. At that time it had about 600 inhabitants. In 1289/90 the works on a fortified city wall began, which was finished in 1350. In 1392 Rees and the monastery of Aspel became part of the County of Cleves.
During the Eighty Years War, the town was captured by Spanish troops in 1598. After the death of the last duke of Cleves in 1609, the town belonged to the Margraviate of Brandenburg
Margraviate of Brandenburg
The Margraviate of Brandenburg was a major principality of the Holy Roman Empire from 1157 to 1806. Also known as the March of Brandenburg , it played a pivotal role in the history of Germany and Central Europe....
. Between 1616 and 1625 Rees was occupied by Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
troops, who strengthened the town into a huge fortress. In 1701 it became part of the Kingdom of Prussia
Kingdom of Prussia
The Kingdom of Prussia was a German kingdom from 1701 to 1918. Until the defeat of Germany in World War I, it comprised almost two-thirds of the area of the German Empire...
.
In 1816, Rees became capital of the newly-founded Rees District within Regierungsbezirk Kleve
Kleve (region)
Regierungsbezirk Kleve was a Regierungsbezirk, or government region, of the Prussian Province of Jülich-Cleves-Berg.The creation of the administrative region was decreed on April 30, 1815; it became active on 22 April 1816...
. Railway access was established with the opening of the railway line Oberhausen
Oberhausen
Oberhausen is a city on the river Emscher in the Ruhr Area, Germany, located between Duisburg and Essen . The city hosts the International Short Film Festival Oberhausen and its Gasometer Oberhausen is an anchor point of the European Route of Industrial Heritage. It is also well known for the...
-Arnhem
Arnhem
Arnhem is a city and municipality, situated in the eastern part of the Netherlands. It is the capital of the province of Gelderland and located near the river Nederrijn as well as near the St. Jansbeek, which was the source of the city's development. Arnhem has 146,095 residents as one of the...
in 1856.
During the Nazi period
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
, many Jewish inhabitants were deported. The only surviving monuments to centuries of Jewish life and activity in Rees are two historic Jewish cemeteries. The city was almost completely destroyed by an Allied air raid on February 16, 1945 during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. It became part of North Rhine-Westphalia after the war.
Culture, Tourism and Points of Interest
Rees possesses one of the most beautiful Rhine promenades in Germany, with restaurants and cafes arranged along the riverbank. Most visitors come from the nearby NetherlandsNetherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, the Münsterland, and the urban Ruhr Area
Ruhr Area
The Ruhr, by German-speaking geographers and historians more accurately called Ruhr district or Ruhr region , is an urban area in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. With 4435 km² and a population of some 5.2 million , it is the largest urban agglomeration in Germany...
, from where Rees can be easily accessed via the Autobahn A3 in approx. 30 minutes. Boat tours on the Rhine river (e.g. to Nijmegen, Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
) can be taken from the small shipping pier. The town offers a motorhome
Motorhome
A motorhome is a type of self-propelled recreational vehicle or RV which offers living accommodation combined with a vehicle engine. The term motorhome is most commonly used in the UK, US, and Canada.-Features:...
park, as well as three campsites and many bicycling routes.
The municipal Koenraad-Bosman-Museum provides varying exhibitions on town history and arts.
In the town center, there are many affectionately restored wells and water pumps that have become recognizable landmarks. An annual Pumpenkirmes (Ger., "pump fair") celebrates their former role as places for work and gossip.
Near the river bank, there are many remains of the ancient city fortification. Several casemates have been restored and are open to the public. Quite remarkable, though not publicly accessible, is a Jewish cemetery uniquely situated on the top of the wall. Because Jews in medieval Rees were forbidden from being buried within the city walls, a cemetery was built atop the wall itself to protect the graves from floods and enemies.
The town has a sculpture park where artists from Germany and the Netherlands are exhibited.
The facilities of the SV (Sportverein) Rees have been used by several national and international soccer teams, most memorably playing host to the national team of Cameroon
Cameroon national football team
The Cameroon national football team, nicknamed Les Lions Indomptables , is controlled by the Fédération Camerounaise de Football and is Africa's most successful side in FIFA world cup; having qualified for the FIFA World Cup six times – in 1982, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2010– more than any...
in 2002.
Haldern is venue of the Haldern Pop
Haldern Pop
Haldern Pop is an annual German open air music festival. In 2008 it will be held for the 25th time. It takes place in Rees-Haldern .-Focus:...
festival, which takes place every August and attracts indie music artists from all over the world as well as thousands of enthusiastic fans.
Railway
The train station Empel-ReesEmpel-Rees railway station
Empel-Rees is a railway station in Empel near Rees, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The station is located on the Arnhem-Oberhausen railway is served by RE and RB services operated by DB.-Train services:The following services currently call at Empel-Rees:...
is located about 4 km from city center and is connected northbound to Emmerich
Emmerich
Emmerich am Rhein; , meaning Emmerich at the Rhine is a city on the lower part of the River Rhine in the northwest of the German federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia...
and southbound to Wesel
Wesel
Wesel is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is the capital of the Wesel district.-Division of the town:Suburbs of Wesel include Lackhausen, Obrighoven, Ginderich, Feldmark,Fusternberg, Büderich, Flüren and Blumenkamp.-History:...
-Oberhausen
Oberhausen
Oberhausen is a city on the river Emscher in the Ruhr Area, Germany, located between Duisburg and Essen . The city hosts the International Short Film Festival Oberhausen and its Gasometer Oberhausen is an anchor point of the European Route of Industrial Heritage. It is also well known for the...
-Duisburg
Duisburg
- History :A legend recorded by Johannes Aventinus holds that Duisburg, was built by the eponymous Tuisto, mythical progenitor of Germans, ca. 2395 BC...
-Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf is the capital city of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia and centre of the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region.Düsseldorf is an important international business and financial centre and renowned for its fashion and trade fairs. Located centrally within the European Megalopolis, the...
-Cologne
Cologne
Cologne is Germany's fourth-largest city , and is the largest city both in the Germany Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia and within the Rhine-Ruhr Metropolitan Area, one of the major European metropolitan areas with more than ten million inhabitants.Cologne is located on both sides of the...
-Bonn
Bonn
Bonn is the 19th largest city in Germany. Located in the Cologne/Bonn Region, about 25 kilometres south of Cologne on the river Rhine in the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, it was the capital of West Germany from 1949 to 1990 and the official seat of government of united Germany from 1990 to 1999....
-Koblenz
Koblenz
Koblenz is a German city situated on both banks of the Rhine at its confluence with the Moselle, where the Deutsches Eck and its monument are situated.As Koblenz was one of the military posts established by Drusus about 8 BC, the...
. From the station, there is a bus line downtown.
Major roads
Rees has major road access to the Autobahn A3 and the federal roads B8 (North-South) and B67 (East-West).Inland waterways
- The River Rhine
For pedestrians and bicyclists, transfer across the Rhine is provided by two ferries from Easter holidays through October.
Nearest airports
Distance to Düsseldorf International AirportDüsseldorf International Airport
Düsseldorf International Airport is the largest airport in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, and the third largest airport in Germany, handling 18.99 million passengers in 2010....
: ca. 75 km
Distance to Airport Weeze
Airport Weeze
Weeze Airport or Niederrhein Airport is an airport situated southwest of the small municipality of Weeze in the Niederrhein of western Germany. It is northwest of Kevelaer, about southeast of Nijmegen, Netherlands, and northwest of Duisburg...
(low cost carriers only): ca. 35 km