Sunday in Düsseldorf
My exploration into the city on Sunday proved to be well worth the
effort, for while the shops are closed (as they are also in Berlin) the
Alt-Stadt was full of liveliness and events.
Initially I had planned to walk directly to the Rhein and walk along the
river bank, however in doing so I passed through the gardens where the
modern art gallery K21 is situated.
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| K21 - Kunstsammlung (c) MJT |
Housing the city's post 1980s art collections, the building was
originally the Ständehaus or provincial parliament (1880), and was
redesigned and opened in its current form in 2002.
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| Kris Martin 2011 "Untitled" at K21 (c) MJT |
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| Juan Munoz 1996 "Piazza" (c) MJT |
Fortuitous my timing was, as it was a free jazz event, which meant that
the gallery was open for free (normally 12€) and I was truly inspired by
the installation by Tomás Saraceno - but I need to devote an entire
post to this particular activity.
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| Tomás Saraceno installation at K21 (c) MJT |
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| Original staircase in K21 (c) MJT |
The coffee at the gallery's cafe smelled particularly good, though I
didn't have a chance to sample it. But i may have to go back to check!
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| Underpass African market (c) MJT |
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| Underpass African market (c) MJT |
Continuing in the direction of the Rhein I was attracted to some
rhythmic drumming and soon found myself underneath the freeway heading
over the bridge, where an African market was in full swing. Wares, food,
clothing and music from numerous African countries make up this market,
and a drumming performance (by a local African drumming class) was the
highlight of the market and clearly connecting with the audience and
participants.
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| African drumming performance (c) MJT |
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| Nico's Drum Family (c) MJT |
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| African market entertainment (c) MJT |
A sample of a tuna pasty (Thunfisch Teigtaschen) was quite delicious,
and much of the other food on offer was equally appetizing.
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| Traditional African cuisine (c) MJT |
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| African Tuna Pasty (c) MJT |
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| Afrikanisches Thunfisch Teigtaschen (c) MJT |
Heading upstream and away from the old city I finally had a close view
of the Rheinturm though I didn't go up it, and further into the Neuer
Zollhof where some very interesting architecture has been fostered.
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| Walking upstream along the Rhein (c) MJT |
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| Rheinturm (c) MJT |
Of particular interest is the Frank Gehry designed, 1999 arts and media
centre. Using the same angled windows in all the odd shaped buildings,
these unique shapes are as interesting from afar as they are up close -
many visitors taking photos near the reflective metal clad centre
building.
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| Frank Gehry design (c) MJT |
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| Reflective metal surface (c) MJT |
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| Neuer Zollhof (c) MJT |
The entire harbour side appears to have been rejuvenated through
interesting architecture, such as the people scaling the facade and the
Lego building. While there were many people walking around, I suspect it
is an area ideal for business lunches or high-end restaurants, as not
much seemed open on a Sunday afternoon.
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| Neuer Zollhof (c) MJT |
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| Neuer Zollhof (c) MJT |
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| Neuer Zollhof (c) MJT |
Walking back towards the old town, passing the African market still in
swing, I came across the longest outdoor book market I think I have ever
witnessed. And the local beer "alt" flowing at numerous pubs along the
way home.
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| Sunday book market (c) MJT |
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| Inner harbour (c) MJT |
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| Book market along the Rhein (c) MJT |
So in conclusion I was surprised by just how busy Sundays can be in Düsseldorf given most of the shops are closed and that the city is very business orientated during the week. And I'm sure I only just scratched the surface.
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