Viersen

Viersen is a rural district in North Rhine-Westphalia located between the Rhine and Meuse rivers, comprising eight separate municipalities. The area contains rivers, farmland, and towns with their own local services and government structures.

The district was established in 1816 as Kempen district under Prussian administration and reshaped by boundary changes in the 1920s and 1970s. These administrative reorganizations created the current structure of eight independent municipalities.

The district reflects its past as a border region through the varied architectural styles found in its towns and villages. Each municipality developed its own character based on which territory it historically belonged to, and this remains visible in how they look today.

The area is organized around several separate town centers, so it helps to focus on individual municipalities when planning a visit. Using a car or regional trains makes it easier to move between the different towns and explore what each area offers.

Several municipalities sit directly on the Dutch border, giving the region an easy connection to neighboring countries. This makes it a convenient gateway for traveling into the Netherlands or Belgium from Germany.

Location: Düsseldorf Government Region

Inception: January 1, 1975

Capital city: Viersen

Elevation above the sea: 92 m

Shares border with: Kleve, Wesel, Krefeld, Rhein-Kreis Neuss, Mönchengladbach, Heinsberg

Website: https://kreis-viersen.de

GPS coordinates: 51.27000,6.40000

Latest update: December 12, 2025 02:54