Rhine in Rees — Oldest Town on the Lower Rhine

Rees — the oldest town on the Lower Rhine

On the right bank of the Rhine, about 20 kilometers east of Kleve, lies the small but historically significant town of Rees — a municipality in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. This status is no coincidence: Rees was founded in 1228, making it the oldest town in the Lower Rhine region (Niederrhein). In 1392, Rees, together with the Aspel monastery, became part of the County of Cleves, determining its future as part of one of the influential German principalities of the late Middle Ages.

Today, Rees is a quiet riverside town where medieval architecture coexists with modern waterfront infrastructure. Neighboring municipalities — Oude IJsselstreek from the Dutch province of Gelderland and Isselburg to the north, Hamminkeln and Wesel to the east, Xanten to the south, and Kalkar and Emmerich am Rhein to the west — form a dense network of settlements along one of Europe's most important waterways.

The Rhine near Rees: geography and transport artery

The Rhine is the second longest river in Central and Western Europe after the Danube, stretching approximately 1,230 kilometers from the Swiss Alps to the North Sea. Near Rees, the river reveals its full grandeur: wide, calm, surrounded by open agricultural landscape. The average water discharge is about 2,900 m³/s, making the Rhine one of the most water-abundant rivers on the continent.

The Rhine remains a vital European transport artery — around 40,000 vessel crossings are recorded here daily. Near Rees, the river passes the kilometer 837.40 mark, and it is from this point that the live broadcast takes place. Navigation here never stops — day and night, cargo barges, passenger vessels, and pleasure yachts create a continuous flow of traffic on the water.

Attractions in and around Rees

Despite its modest size, Rees boasts several notable attractions that draw tourists. Reeser Skulpturenpark is a sculpture park where works of contemporary art blend into the natural landscape of the riverside area. In the Haldern district stands Pfarrkirche St. Georg — the Parish Church of St. George, whose architecture reflects the centuries-old history of the region.

Music lovers know Rees thanks to Haldern Pop Bar — a legendary music club hosting the festival of the same name, which brings together indie music fans from across Europe. And the artist's studio Atelier Metin Yildirim showcases contemporary visual art in the historic setting of the old town.

Legends of the Rhine: from Loreley to knights

The Rhine has been shrouded in mysteries and legends since ancient times. The most famous of these is the legend of Loreley — a beautiful maiden who sat on a rock above the river and lured ships onto the reefs with her enchanting voice. Although the Loreley rock lies upstream between Bingen and Koblenz, the spirit of this legend hovers over the entire Rhine.

Scattered along the river are around 60 picturesque castles and fortresses — Rheinfels, Marksburg, Rheinstein, and many others. Each holds tales of knights, robber barons, and battles for control of river trade. The Dance of Death is another widespread regional legend, reflecting medieval perceptions of death and the afterlife.

Natural features and biodiversity

The Rhine Gorge, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002, is renowned not only for its castles and vineyards but also for its unique ecosystem. The steep rocky slopes on both banks of the river serve as habitat for rare species of flora and fauna. The Loreley Valley is particularly famous for its biodiversity — populations of birds of prey, rare lizards, and endemic plants can be found here.

Vineyards on steep slopes are not merely decorative — they are part of a centuries-old winemaking tradition that shapes a unique cultural landscape. Seasonal changes transform the Rhine surroundings: in spring, the slopes turn green; in summer, the vineyards stand in lush foliage; in autumn, everything blazes with gold and crimson; and in winter, the river appears in its stark, almost pristine grandeur.

The Rees Rhine Promenade: observation point

The Rheinpromenade in Rees is a central spot for walks and river viewing. It is here, from the water tower on the promenade, that the camera is installed, facing towards Wesel. This is a strategic vantage point: from here, a wide stretch of the river is visible where active shipping takes place, and the outline of the opposite bank can be seen on the horizon.

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