Kaiserpfalz Kaiserswerth, Medieval castle ruins in Kaiserswerth district, Düsseldorf, Germany.
Kaiserpfalz Kaiserswerth is a castle ruin on the Rhine in Düsseldorf featuring Romanesque stonework and a stone staircase tower from the 12th century. The remains show the foundations of a substantial fortification that rose across several levels.
Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa had this fortification built in 1184 on the Rhine to monitor river traffic and collect tolls. Later the complex suffered damage and today survives only as ruins.
The name refers to the emperor who founded it, and the ruins show how rulers once lived directly by the river. Visitors today can see how central this place was to managing the empire's affairs.
The site is freely accessible during daylight and can be viewed from outside, with the best views from the riverbank. Those wanting more detail can arrange guided tours in advance.
The complex was so important for controlling the Rhine that the river itself was deliberately diverted in 1215 during a rescue mission. This dramatic event shows how fiercely the region around this location was contested back then.
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