Located in Germany's Rhineland, this medieval town sits along the river Sieg. The 12th-century St. Peter's Basilica and Burgberg tower above streets filled with local cafes and winter markets.
Düren lies between Aachen and Cologne, where you'll find the Papiermuseum documenting the city's paper-making industry from the 1500s to 1900s. Walk through the Neo-Baroque Leopold-Hoesch-Museum to see works by Kirchner and Kandinsky, or explore the 12th-century Schloss Burgau with its Renaissance bay window and water-filled moat. Look for original pre-war buildings along Holzstraße and discover sections of medieval city walls throughout the center.
Exploring Düren's Museums
The Leopold-Hoesch-Museum occupies a 1905 Neo-Baroque building and displays modern and contemporary art. You'll see works by Expressionist artists including Kirchner, Kandinsky, and Otto Dix. Browse art books and prints in the museum shop or stop at the café overlooking the exhibition spaces. The building remains one of the few original pre-war structures in the city center.
Paper Industry at Papiermuseum
The Papiermuseum opened in 1990 and tells the story of Düren's paper-making past from the 1500s to 1900s. Learn how the Rur River's soft water supported 17 paper mills by 1812. Try the interactive displays about paper-making techniques and examine historical equipment. The museum building sits next to a medieval city wall section, adding context to your visit.
Schloss Burgau and Its Gardens
Built around 1100, Schloss Burgau sits surrounded by a water-filled moat on Düren's southern edge. Look for the Renaissance bay window from 1551 with its intricate medallions and coats of arms, restored between 1980 and 1990. The castle now hosts concerts in its hall and includes a café. You can walk along paths next to the moat through the castle gardens.
Annual Events and Festivals
Visit during the Annakirmes festival in the last week of July, when nearly one million people come to enjoy carnival rides, food stalls, and live entertainment. From late November through December 30, wooden stalls selling seasonal foods and crafts fill the area around the town hall for the Christmas market. The Dürener Jazztage schedules performances at venues throughout the city.
Getting Around and Location
You can reach Düren from Aachen (30 minutes by car) or Cologne (45 minutes by car). Direct trains connect to both cities, with the Cologne journey taking under 30 minutes. Walk between most attractions in the city center within 15 minutes from the main train station.
