Krefeld
A LARGE CITY WITH A SMALL-TOWN FEELING

Nowadays the textile industry plays a more important role in research. In collaboration with the Hochschule Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences, local companies are working to improve, among other things, industrial textiles. The chemical and metal industries, mechanical engineering and automotive engineering are also important branches of industry in and around Krefeld. Numerous corporations, like Bayer AG and Lanxess AG, have built facilities at the “ChemPark” located directly on the Rhine River. Krefeld is also home to assembly plants for express trains, such as the ICE.

Despite the large industrial areas located on the outskirts of town, Krefeld has kept its charming character. All along Blumenstrasse and Prinz-Ferdinand-Strasse, you can admire the freshly renovated and colourfully painted houses which were built during Krefeld’s heyday. Further away from downtown are two buildings designed by the famous architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe: Both Haus Lange and Haus Ester (on Wilhelmshofallee) are public museums today.

If you’re wondering – the word “Krefelder” doesn’t only refer to residents of Krefeld. In the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, it can also be a mixed beverage, containing Altbier (a dark beer) or Pilsener and cola. In other regions, those speed-bumps which force drivers to reduce their speed are sometimes called “Krefelder Pillows” – or “Krefelder” for short.

The “” in Krefeld draws crowds from well outside the city limits. Concerts, cabaret and theatre performances are held there all year around. The Kulturfabrik – or “KuFa” for short – is located near the train station in one of the buildings of the old slaughterhouse.

If you come to Krefeld, you should go see an ice-hockey game of the Krefeld Penguins which used to play in the premier league for a long time and now play in the second league.

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