The Rhine in Monheim

“Everything flows,” as the ancient philosopher Heraclitus once said.

“Old Father Rhine” has always left its mark on Monheim am Rhein. Even before the Roman era, the first settlements in what is now the city center made good use of the area’s special geographic and economic advantages. And even today, the Rhine continues to play a defining role in the urban life of Monheim, constantly featuring in people's hobbies and local traditions, in art and architecture, in events and many other aspects of everyday life.

Large parts of the 10-kilometre stretch of the Rhine in Monheim have been allowed to remain wild, with the result that wet meadows, riverside forests and a long green riverbank landscape have been able to evolve over time. Surrounded by idyllic countryside and modern infrastructure, we invite you to experience the river in all its diversity along our stretch between river kilometers 707 and 717 in your very own way.

Artistically inspiring

In around 1906, the painter and art professor August Deusser settled in Monheim with his wife and child. His colorful paintings show how he perceived the world. The works created in the “Haus am Strom” (“House on the River”) soon became characteristic of the Düsseldorf School of Painting.

Since then, many other artists have been inspired by the banks of the Rhine in Monheim. The sculpture of Leda by Markus Lüpertz is a prominent landmark on the Rhine promenade, with the little goose girl watching over the overland routes and waterways. The impressive eruptions of the Monheim Geyser, created by Thomas Stricker, will make you stop and think a while. You can also discover other smaller works of art along the paths and on the riverbank.

Enjoy the Rhine as you wish:
Excursions and nature on the Rhine

In the Urdenbacher Kämpe Nature Reserve, the network of Auenblicke paths with well-marked hiking trails leads you through rustic alluvial forests and natural wetlands.

The Rhine Cycle Route leads past various sights in Monheim and invites you to take a refreshing break in Monheim's old town.

Eel fishing was an important industry until the 19th century, and the Eel Fishing Museum in an original eel fishing boat still bears witness to this today. Landlubbers of all ages can learn about life on board from the captain or take a relaxing break on the wooden benches with a view of the Rhine.

Our tip: Monheim's restaurants and retail outlets sell many Rhine-themed products, including a Rheinkiesel dessert, a Piwipper-Böötchen tea and all kinds of souvenirs with river motifs.

Discover the Rhein river in Monheim!

Markus Lüpertz created the 3.6 meter high bronze sculpture entitled "Leda" for the Monheim bank of the Rhine. The design portrays an athletic alternative design to the otherwise usually rather gracefully depicted Gänseliesel or "Goose Girl", which inspired Markus Lüpertz.

The "Monheim Geyser” is an artificially created geyser designed by Swiss artist Thomas Stricker, situated in the middle of a traffic circle. After 64 hours of sunshine, it shoots jets of water up to 12 meters high into the sky several times during an eruption phase. A real experience!

With the historic eel fishing boat called "Fiat Voluntas", the city has landed a "real contemporary witness" for you, one which inspires its guests as an interactive museum.

Always along the Rhine, downstream or upstream, the Rhine Cycle Route is a 1,400-kilometer-long path that runs from the source of the Rhine in the Swiss Alps down to its mouth near Rotterdam.

In the Urdenbacher Kämpe Nature Reserve, the Rhine is still allowed to flood its floodplains between the conurbations of the major cities of Cologne and Düsseldorf and isn’t prevented from doing so by dikes – as is the case almost everywhere else. This creates enchanted floodplain woods and wet meadows with a unique ecosystem.

Travel by ferry to and from Monheim am Rhein: The Piwipper Böötchen passenger ferry lets you cross the Rhine while keeping your feet dry. The Urdenbach-Zons and Hitdorf-Langel ferries even make round trips along both sides of the river possible.

Allow your gaze to wander

There are benches with sweeping views over the countryside all along the cycle and hiking trails, the Rhine promenade and Monheim’s dikes. Why not take a relaxing break and enjoy the view? The following locations offer some especially interesting vistas:

• The seating area on the landscape balcony near the “Leda” sculpture, Rheinpromenade 4.

• The viewing pontoon at the Monheim jetty, Kapellenstrasse 40. When the water level is high, the freely accessible platform floats on the surface of the Rhine – along with the people on it.

• The inviting wooden benches on the listed ship “Fiat Voluntas” containing the Eel Fishing Museum, Klappertorstrasse 38.

Our photo suggestion

At the Monheim jetty, gray geese cavort almost all year round, giving photographers great opportunities to take snapshots of them from the viewing pontoon. Since they are not tame birds, nature lovers of all ages should observe them from a respectful distance.

The “Helena 2” is anchored a few meters further on; this is a historic and colorful eel trawler that was used to fish on the Rhine in the past.

Ship in sight – but what kind?

The map below always provides you with up-to-date details of the ships currently passing by Monheim am Rhein.

If you’d like to know more about the current water levels, temperature and flow velocity, you can find this information at pegelonline.wsv.de.

Wining and dining with a view of the Rhine

The following restaurants, cafés and bars offer guests a relaxed atmosphere with a direct view of the river:

• Ristorante Fiume, Rheinpromenade 2, ristorante-fiume.de
• Raphael’s Restaurant und Weinbar, An d‘r Kapell 6, raphaelsmonheim.de
• Haus Rheinblick Ott, Rheinuferstrasse 8, haus-rheinblick-ott.de
• Rheinterrassen Baumberg Beach, Klappertorstrasse 47, baumberger-rheinterrassen.de
• Hotel bar in the Hey Lou Hotel (drinks only, also open to non-residents), Rheinpromenade 2, mon.heylouhotels.com

Several accommodations offer you rooms or tent sites with a view of the Rhine right from your bed:

• Hotel Zum Vater Rhein, An d’r Kapell 4, hotelmonheim.de
• Hey Lou Hotel (formerly known as Styles Hotel.), Rheinpromenade 2, heylouhotels.com
• Haus Rheinblick Ott, Rheinuferstrasse 8, haus-rheinblick-ott.de
• Campingplatz Rheinblick (campsite), Urdenbacher Weg, campingplatz-rheinblick.de

Please contact the respective providers with regard to opening hours and availability.

Guided tours with a link to the Rhine

Close to the wind – a view over the water’s edge

Who put their colorful visions of the world onto canvas at the “Haus am Strom” (“House on the River”)? Which legendary figures settled on the banks of the Rhine in Monheim and what brought the little town of “Monnem” to the attention of the New York Times? This tour explores an exciting portfolio of cultural highlights from the past, present and future – all along the promenade at Rhine kilometer 714.

This tour takes place on July 3 and September 9 at 5:00 p.m. as well as on request. Please register for the fixed dates at the Tourist Information Office at least two days in advance.

The Rhine – a blessing and a curse

The Rhine has left its mark on the region for centuries: as a trade route and important source of income, a natural habitat and a tourist destination. Experience Monheim’s transformation through the influence of this great river, with its basket weaving and works of art, towing in Roman times, industrialization and today’s nature reserve with its unique flora and fauna.

This tour and other themed tours can be requested from the Tourist Information Office and booked exclusively for your group.

Browse the current six-month program on the city tours page or get individual advice from the Monheim Mitte Tourist Information Office.

Ingeborg-Friebe-Platz 19
40789 Monheim am Rhein
Telephone: +49-2173-276-444]
E-mail: touristinfo@monheim.de