History of Dinslaken

The history of Dinslaken has its roots in the High Middle Ages, with the first documentary mention of the settlement dating back to 1163. It is believed that the name of the city is derived from old words meaning "dwelling by the water" or "lake", which accurately described the marshy landscape of the area in the Rhine Valley. Dinslaken received official city status in 1273, when Count Dietrich VII of Cleves granted it town rights, which became the starting point for transforming the small settlement into a fortified administrative centre.

The development of the city was driven by a combination of several strategic and geographical factors:

• Political Influence: Dinslaken formed around a fortress built by the Counts of Cleves. The castle served as a residence for the nobility and an important military outpost on the border of their domain, protecting the territory from the claims of neighbours, particularly the Archbishopric of Cologne.
• Geography: Its location in the Lower Rhine, near the confluence of the Emscher and Rhine rivers, provided access to waterways, although it required a constant struggle against floods.
• Trade: The granting of market privileges allowed the city to become a local centre for the exchange of goods, actively attracting merchants from surrounding villages.

The economy of early Dinslaken was based on the traditional structure of that time. Craft guilds played an important role, with weavers, cloth makers, and blacksmiths being particularly prominent, although agriculture remained the basis of livelihood for the townspeople. The spiritual and cultural centre of the community became the Church of St. Vincentius, the construction of which began in the Gothic style. Urban development gradually formed around the temple and the castle, creating the recognisable historical appearance of the old town.

Major Historical Milestones

• 1163 — First documentary mention of the name Dinslaken in an official charter.
• 1273 — Count Dietrich VII of Cleves grants the settlement city status, market rights, and judicial privileges.
• 1420 — Completion of the main construction phase of the Gothic Church of St. Vincentius, which became the architectural landmark of the centre.
• 1609 — The city comes under the administration of Brandenburg, becoming part of the Prussian territories in the west.
• 1753 — Dinslaken becomes the administrative centre of a newly formed district (Landkreis).
• 1856 — Opening of the Oberhausen — Arnhem railway line, ensuring reliable connections for the city with neighbouring regions.
• 1907 — Beginning of the construction of the "Lohberg" coal mine, turning Dinslaken into an important industrial centre of the Ruhr area.
• 1975 — During a major administrative reform, the city is included in the Wesel district.
• 2005 — Closure of the "Lohberg" mine, marking the transition from coal mining to the development of the service and culture sectors.
• 2014 — Opening of the "Bergpark Lohberg" landscape park on the recultivated territory of the former industrial zone.

Stages of Development and City Transformation

Dinslaken has come a long way from a medieval trading post to a modern centre that has successfully survived structural changes in industry. Key stages of its development have shaped the current unique appearance of the city.

• Railway Revolution (Mid-19th Century): The opening of the railway line in 1856 gave a powerful boost to the economy. This event brought Dinslaken out of local isolation, connecting it with the major markets of the Ruhr area and the Netherlands, which paved the way for the arrival of large-scale industry.
• Industrialisation and the "Lohberg" Mine (Early 20th Century): The launch of the coal mine turned the agrarian town into an industrial hub. This led to a demographic boom and the construction of a unique workers' garden city (Gartenstadt Lohberg), which is recognised today as an important monument of urban planning.
• Post-War Reconstruction (After 1945): As a result of air raids during the Second World War, the city centre was 80% destroyed. Large-scale reconstruction not only restored the housing stock but also modernised the street network, creating a modern urban environment and a new town hall, which became a symbol of revival.
• Administrative Reform (1975): Joining the Wesel district consolidated Dinslaken's strategic role as a link between the industrial Ruhr and the rural Lower Rhine, defining its further development as a comfortable place to live at the junction of two regions.
• Post-Industrial Conversion (21st Century): The closure of the mine in 2005 marked the transition to a service and culture economy. The former industrial zone was transformed into the Creative Quarter Lohberg (Kreativquartier Lohberg) with a landscape park, becoming a shining example of the successful revitalisation of industrial heritage.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The architectural landscape of Dinslaken represents a mosaic in which medieval roots are intertwined with industrial heritage and modern functional development. Due to severe destruction during the Second World War (especially in March 1945), the historical fabric of the city was significantly lost, so today's appearance of Dinslaken is a combination of carefully restored monuments of antiquity and architecture from the second half of the 20th century.

Historical Eras and Styles

• Middle Ages and Gothic:

  The ancient core of the city formed around the fortress. Although the original buildings suffered greatly, preserved and reconstructed elements provide insight into the past.

  • Dinslaken Castle (Burg Dinslaken): The former residence of the Counts of Cleves. Today, the city administration is located here. Part of the complex, including the "Knight's Gate" (Rittertor), has retained features of medieval fortification architecture.
  • Church of St. Vincentius (St. Vincentius): The main Catholic church of the city in the centre. Its powerful tower and choir are executed in the Gothic style, serving as the dominant feature of the old town.
• Industrial Era and Reform Architecture (Early 20th Century):

  The development of the mining industry brought unique urban planning projects to the city, which have become architectural monuments.

  • Garden City Lohberg (Gartenstadt Lohberg): A unique workers' settlement built for miners in the early 1900s. Designed by architects Max Cremer and Joseph Wohlm, the district is distinguished by a unity of style, combining elements of the English "Garden City" with brick architecture. Various types of houses, large gardens, and squares create a picturesque ensemble.
  • Lohberg Mine: The red brick industrial buildings and steel headframes of the mine represent a striking example of the industrial architecture of the Ruhr, now transformed into a cultural site.
• Post-War Modernism and Reconstruction (1950–1970s):

  The restoration of the city after the war proceeded under the sign of functionalism. Residential and administrative buildings of this period are characterised by pragmatism and simplicity of forms.

  • City Town Hall and Kathrin-Türks-Halle: Examples of public architecture from the second half of the 20th century, oriented towards the needs of a growing population.
• Modernity and Revitalisation (21st Century):

  Modern urban planning in Dinslaken focuses on integrating old industrial zones into the urban environment and creating new public spaces.

  • Creative Quarter Lohberg (Kreativquartier Lohberg): An example of a postmodern approach to urbanism, where historical industrial halls sit alongside modern eco-friendly homes and park zones.
  • Neutor Galerie Shopping Centre: An example of modern commercial architecture, organically integrated into the structure of the city centre and connecting the old shopping street with new districts.

Notable Personalities of Dinslaken

The history of Dinslaken is inextricably linked with the names of people who made a significant contribution to the development of the city, culture, and sports. From medieval rulers to modern media personalities, these individuals have left a noticeable mark on the chronicles of the region.

• Dietrich VII of Cleves (Dietrich VII. von Kleve)
  Count of Cleves (13th Century)
  A key historical figure for the city. It was he who granted Dinslaken city rights in 1273, which served as an impetus for the development of trade, crafts, and the strengthening of the settlement's status as an important administrative centre.

• Heinrich Douvermann
  Sculptor and Woodcarver (c. 1480–1543)
  One of the most significant masters of the late Gothic era on the Lower Rhine. His works are distinguished by incredible detail. Although he worked in many cities, his heritage is closely linked to the region, and his style influenced the decoration of local temples.

• Friedrich Althoff
  Founder of a Circus Dynasty (1810s)
  Born in Dinslaken, he became the progenitor of one of the most famous and oldest circus families in Europe. The Althoff dynasty brought fame to German circus arts throughout the world.

• Willibrord Benzler
  Bishop of Metz (1853–1921)
  A native of the Niederhemm district (now part of Dinslaken). He was known as the "Bishop of Peace" for his efforts to reconcile nations and his humanitarian activities during the difficult period following the First World War.

• Maria Sander
  Track and Field Athlete (1924–1999)
  An outstanding athlete who brought fame to Dinslaken on the international stage. At the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki, she won silver and bronze medals in running disciplines.

• Jean Pütz
  Science Journalist and TV Presenter (born 1936)
  A popular presenter of the legendary German programme "Hobbythek". Although he was born in Cologne, his youth and school years were spent in Dinslaken, where he received the education that shaped his future career as a populariser of science.