Located along the German-Dutch border, this calm riverside town has medieval churches, local cheese shops, and walking paths through surrounding forests near the Rhine.
Kleve, a German town near the Dutch border, welcomes visitors with its 180-foot Swan Tower, baroque gardens, and art-filled Museum Kurhaus. Walk through the 17th-century Forstgarten park, climb medieval castle towers, or explore the Gothic Collegiate Church with its ducal tombs. The town's connection to Tudor England lives on through Anne of Cleves, Henry VIII's fourth wife, who grew up in the Schwanenburg Castle.
Schwanenburg Castle and Tower
Climb the 180-foot Schwanenturm (Swan Tower) for panoramic views across the Rhine valley and Dutch border. The tower, part of the 11th-century Schwanenburg Castle complex, takes its name from the Knight of Swan legend - the story that inspired Wagner's Lohengrin. While the castle now contains law courts, you can explore its exterior and grounds daily from sunrise to sunset.
Parks and Gardens
Walk through the 17th-century Forstgarten's geometric paths, past its amphitheater and stone obelisk. The garden connects to the Nature.Fitness.Park, where you can join locals on marked trails for walking, jogging, and Nordic walking. The park's information boards guide you through different exercise stations and route options.
Art and Architecture
Visit the Museum Kurhaus Kleve, housed in the town's 19th-century bathhouse, to see contemporary art exhibitions and works from the Middle Ages through the 20th century. The museum opens Tuesday through Sunday, 11 AM-5 PM. At Synagogenplatz, stone outlines mark where the synagogue stood before its destruction in 1938. The Collegiate Church (1341-1426) contains ornate tombs of Kleve's dukes, with guided tours available on weekends.
Cross-Border Culture
Dutch influences appear throughout Kleve, from bilingual street signs to architectural details. The town's shopping district draws many Dutch visitors, particularly on weekends. You'll hear both German and Dutch spoken in cafes and shops, and many properties in town belong to Dutch residents.
Medieval Churches
Visit St. Mariae Himmelfahrt to see its post-war reconstruction and modern interpretations of religious art. The Minorite Church, dating from 1427, retains its original Gothic architecture with ribbed vaults and pointed arches. Two smaller churches worth visiting include St. Martin in Bimmen, with its Romanesque tower, and St. Maurice in Düffelward, known for its 15th-century bell tower.
