Voerde (Lower Rhine): Discover River Landscapes and History

Voerde (Lower Rhine) combines a distinctive river landscape with nature and history. The relocated Emscher estuary, the Momm lowlands and a monument in Mehrum give the town a variety of attractions. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay on the Lower Rhine, you can plan your trip around your preferred focus: cycling by the river, natural landscapes or historic sites.

River Landscapes and Nature in Voerde

The Emscher estuary into the Rhine was relocated by just over 500 metres from the Dinslaken area to the territory of the city of Voerde. It is a natural-looking river delta created as part of the Emscher redevelopment. The relocation made it possible to prepare a floodplain area of just over 20 hectares. The estuary can therefore be understood both as a distinctive landscape feature and as the result of a specific redevelopment project.

The Momm lowlands were formerly part of the banks of the Rhine and are a habitat for numerous rare plants and animals. One of Germany’s largest populations of little owls lives there. The former riverbank landscape and the habitat for rare species offer a different natural highlight from the natural-looking delta. If you are particularly interested in landscapes and wildlife, the Momm lowlands are a destination in their own right during your time in Voerde.

Cycling also offers different ways to experience the landscape. In Voerde, a 10 km-long cycle path runs along the Rhine dike. You can also cycle through the Momm lowlands nature reserve; this route is described as an alternative to riding directly along the Rhine. When planning your trip, you can therefore consider the dike and the ride through the lowlands as different starting points.

Historic Sites and Remembrance

Haus Voerde moated castle is a historic attraction. The former kitchen garden of the estate is now used as a dye and school garden. The castle and the garden’s current use offer different points of interest: the historic attraction on the one hand, and the former garden’s present-day use on the other.

Another historical connection can be found in Mehrum. The monument commemorates the Allies’ crossing of the Rhine on the night of 23–24 March 1945. This precise dating anchors the memorial site in a specific event and complements the historical themes surrounding Haus Voerde with a distinct point of reference.

Additional Highlights in the Broader Wesel Destination

In the broader Wesel destination, the LVR-Archaeological Park Xanten is located on the site of the Roman city of Colonia Ulpia Traiana. It is Germany’s largest open-air archaeological museum. The LVR Roman Museum displays numerous original finds from the Roman city and the two legionary camps. The finds tell the story of the Roman city’s origins, heyday and downfall. Demonstrations, festivals and a variety of activities to watch and take part in are held regularly in the archaeological park and Roman Museum. Check the dates before visiting, as individual events and activities may change.

The Bislicher Insel in Xanten offers a different focus on nature in the broader Wesel destination. It is one of the last natural floodplain landscapes on the Lower Rhine and is protected as a nature reserve over a large area. In winter, the nature reserve is home to several thousand Arctic geese, especially greater white-fronted and barnacle geese. Three observation huts along the path offer views of the water; with a little luck, you can spot numerous bird species there.

Discover more destinations: Kamp-Lintfort, Voshövel, Hünxe, Schermbeck, Sonsbeck, Neukirchen-Vluyn, Alpen, Dinslaken.

View the broader travel overview: Wesel.