A whisper of history breathes through Gerresheim. This town existed long before it became part of Düsseldorf in 1909. Gerresheim retains its unique small-town feel. Now, we stand in one of Düsseldorf’s fifty vibrant quarters.
In 870 a nobleman named Gerricus founded a church here. It was for the women’s collegiate foundation of St. Margaret’s. This religious house became Gerresheim Abbey. By 1368 the Count of Berg recognized Gerresheim’s growing importance. He granted it city rights. It became an official city.
However, the 17th century brought hardship. Aristocratic ladies left the convent. Gerresheim faced increasing poverty. Soldiers raided the city during the Cologne War. The Thirty Years’ War brought further devastation. Gerresheim’s reputation suffered greatly.
A significant shift occurred in 1803. The Reichsdeputationshauptschluss abolished Gerresheim Abbey. The Kingdom of Prussia then took control in 1815.
The Gerresheimer Glashütte changed Gerresheim forever. Ferdinand Heye founded it in 1864. This glass factory became a world-renowned company. The factory significantly shaped Gerresheim’s identity.
Look around and imagine Gerresheim in its prime. See the Basilica Saint Margaretha. It was sanctified in 1236. It stands on the site of a Staufen church. Imagine the treasures held within like a crucifix from the 10th century. Consider the Gospel book from the 11th century. These treasures reflect Gerresheim’s rich religious history. The abbey buildings dating back to the 13th century stand as a testament to time.
Consider the Villa in Gerresheim and the Protestant Gustav Adolf Church. Note the Rom Cath St. Cathrina Church. See the Coats of Arms. All bear witness to Gerresheim’s layered past.
Since 1838 Gerresheim boasts its own railway station. Today, three regional train lines connect it to major cities. Tram lines and bus lines provide access to Düsseldorf’s central districts.
Interestingly, Gerresheim appears in Günter Grass’s novel “The Tin Drum”. It is at the Gerresheim Stadtbahn station. The hero abandons his stolen tram here. He does it to save Victor Weluhn from execution.
Today, Gerresheim maintains its historical charm. The largest landmark in Düsseldorf is the Catholic Basilica St. Margareta. It is a symbol of Gerresheim. It is in the center of the eastern district on Gerricusplatz. It was built in the Romanesque-Gothic style and consecrated in 1236. Its colors are as they were in its time. St. Margareta was the abbey church of the Gerresheim Women’s Abbey until 1803. In 1982 Pope John Paul II raised it to a Basilica Minor. Inside you can see the Ottonian Cross from the 10th century. See the Gerresheim Gnadenstuhl from the 13th century.
The Gerricusplatz marks the heart of Gerresheim. The Basilica St. Margareta stands on the square. The Heimatbrunnen shows scenes and people from history. Fachwerkhäuser from the 17th and 19th centuries surround the square. The Quadenhof is a typical moated castle in brick. It dates from the 15th century. It was once the residence of the bailiff.
Once, the Gerresheim glass factory was one of the largest in the world. A large “G” with a crown decorated glass bottles all over Europe. Over 8,000 people worked here. In 2005, the glass factory closed after almost 150 years. Today, only three industrial buildings remain: the glass tower, a boiler house, and the former electrical center.
Today, a green urban quarter is emerging on the former site of the glass factory. It is called Glasmachviertel. The Glasmachviertel comprises 1,700 apartments, day-care centers, businesses and restaurants.
The Meistersiedlung der Gerresheimer Glashütte is a listed building. The settlement was built in 1906 in the style of home protection architecture.
The Waldfriedhof Gerresheim is embedded in the forest. About 60,000 burials have taken place here.
Gerresheim is an important pillar in the drinking water supply of Düsseldorf.
The Gerresheim train station is a listed building. It dates from 1888. Today, it is a cultural center.
The Gerresheimer Wald and the Rotthäuser Bachtal are great for hiking.
The story of Gerresheim is one of faith, industry, and resilience. It evolved from a religious center to an industrial powerhouse. Then it transformed into a charming residential quarter of Düsseldorf. This small town’s thousand-year history whispers from every stone.