Ratingen history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Ratingen is rooted in the early Middle Ages. The first documentary mention of the settlement under the name Hratuga is found in the chronicles of 849. However, the official date of the city's birth is considered to be 11 December 1276, when Count Adolf V von Berg granted Ratingen city rights. Remarkably, this event occurred 12 years earlier than neighbouring Düsseldorf received city status, making Ratingen one of the oldest cities in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Key Factors of Development

The development of Ratingen was determined by a combination of strategic and political interests:

• Geographical Location: The city was situated on an important trade route ("Mauspfad") connecting the south and north, as well as near crossings over the Rhine, which facilitated an influx of merchants.
• Political Strategy: For the Counts of Berg, Ratingen became the northern bastion of their domains. Fortifying the city was necessary to protect the territory from the claims of the Archbishops of Cologne.
• Fortification: Soon after receiving city status, the construction of a powerful defensive wall with 15 towers and four gates began, turning the settlement into an impregnable fortress.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The economy of medieval Ratingen was built around the market square, where local artisans and farmers sold their goods. The city was famous for its blacksmiths and potters. The Church of St. Peter and Paul, the foundation of which dates back to the 8th–9th centuries, served as the spiritual and cultural centre. The presence of its own mint and court also highlighted the high status and autonomy of the city in the early period of its history.

Key Milestones in Ratingen's History

The city's history is a journey from a small settlement to an important industrial and economic centre of the region. Below are the key dates that shaped the modern appearance of Ratingen.

• 849 — First documentary mention of the settlement in chronicles under the ancient name "Hratuga".
• 1276 — Count Adolf V von Berg grants Ratingen city status and the right to self-governance, giving impetus to its development.
• 14th Century — Active construction of city fortifications, including walls and 15 defensive towers, parts of which have survived to this day.
• 1655 — Founding of the Minorite monastery, which became the city's spiritual and educational centre for many years.
• 1783 — Entrepreneur Johann Gottfried Brügelmann opens the "Cromford" textile factory — the first mechanical spinning mill on the European continent.
• 1815 — After the conclusion of the Napoleonic Wars and the Congress of Vienna, Ratingen becomes part of the Kingdom of Prussia.
• 1873 — Opening of the railway connection linking the city with Düsseldorf and the Ruhr area, which accelerated industrialisation.
• 1929–1930 — Ratingen successfully defends its independence, avoiding inclusion into neighbouring Düsseldorf.
• 1975 — During a large-scale municipal reform, the communities of Lintorf, Hösel, Eggerscheidt, Breitscheid, and Homberg are annexed to the city.
• 1981 — Opening of the Rhine Industrial Museum (LVR-Industriemuseum) in the historic buildings of the "Cromford" factory.
• Late 20th — Early 21st Century — Transformation of the city into a modern business hub and the location of international corporate headquarters.

Key Stages of Development

The modern appearance of Ratingen was formed under the influence of several fundamental processes that turned a medieval fortress into a developed economic centre.

• The Beginning of the Industrialisation Era (1783). The opening of the "Cromford" factory by Johann Gottfried Brügelmann became a turning point not only for the city but for all of Europe. The appearance of the first mechanical spinning mill on the continent marked the transition from artisanal to industrial production, creating new jobs and changing the social structure of the population.
• Railway Revolution (1873). The launch of the "Ruhr Valley" railway line (Ruhrtalbahn) brought the city out of transport isolation. Reliable connection with the coal basins of the Ruhr and the trade centres of the Rhine gave a powerful impulse to the development of heavy industry (particularly the production of steam boilers) and ensured an influx of workforce.
• Large-scale Housing Construction (1960–1970s). In response to the post-war housing crisis and demographic growth, an ambitious urban planning project was implemented — the Ratingen-West district. The construction of this large residential array with modern infrastructure allowed for a significant increase in the city's capacity and the modernisation of its architectural landscape.
• Municipal Reform and Expansion of Boundaries (1975). The annexation of neighbouring communities (Lintorf, Hösel, Breitscheid, etc.) radically changed the administrative map. Ratingen turned into a polycentric city, combining industrial zones, agricultural lands, and elite residential suburbs, which significantly increased its economic stability.
• Transformation into an International Business Hub (Late 20th — 21st Century). Thanks to its proximity to Düsseldorf International Airport and a developed network of autobahns, the city successfully reoriented its economy from manufacturing to the service and high-tech sectors. The placement of European headquarters of global corporations here has secured Ratingen's status as an important business centre in the Rhine-Ruhr region.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

Ratingen's architecture is a harmonious blend of eras: from powerful medieval fortifications and Baroque palaces to the functionalism of the 1970s and modern high-tech business parks. The urban structure of the city clearly reflects the stages of its expansion from the historical centre to the periphery.

Middle Ages: Gothic and Fortification

The historical core of the city was formed in the 13th–14th centuries. The dominant features of this period are sacred architecture and defensive structures that defined the boundaries of old Ratingen.

• Church of St. Peter and Paul (St. Peter und Paul): The main symbol of the city. This is an early Gothic hall church, the foundation of which dates back to the Romanesque era. The building is distinguished by its massiveness and three naves of equal height, which is characteristic of the Westphalian architectural school.
• City Fortifications: Preserved fragments of the city wall and towers serve as reminders of the time when Ratingen was a fortress. Striking examples include the Kornsturm tower and a reconstructed part of the wall with a battlement walkway.

Renaissance and Baroque: Castles and Manors

Noble residences have been preserved in the vicinity of the city and its old part, demonstrating a transition to more elegant forms and comfort.

• Haus zum Haus: A classic example of a "moated castle" (Wasserburg). Originally a defensive structure, it was rebuilt in the 16th–17th centuries and acquired features of the Renaissance and early Baroque. The complex includes residential buildings, towers, and outbuildings surrounded by a moat.
• Lintorf Manor: In the annexed districts, one can find timber-framed houses and small manors characteristic of the rural architecture of the Bergisches Land region.

Classicism and Early Industrial Architecture

The end of the 18th century brought strict lines and functionality to the city, associated with the industrial revolution.

• Cromford Complex (Textilfabrik Cromford): A unique ensemble combining production and residential functions. The five-storey factory building (1783) with its strict rhythm of windows is a monument to early industrial architecture. Nearby is the manor house (Herrenhaus) in the late Baroque style with elements of Classicism, emphasising the status of the manufactory owner.

Modernism and Postmodernism: The New City

In the second half of the 20th century, Ratingen underwent a radical urban transformation, expanding far beyond its historical borders.

• Ratingen-West: A large-scale project of the 1960s–1970s, implemented in the spirit of modernism and functionalism. This is a typical example of urban planning of that era: high-rise residential buildings, wide avenues, and clear zoning of territories designed to solve the housing issue for a growing population.
• Modern Business Parks: In the 21st century, the outskirts of the city are shaped by the headquarters of international corporations. The high-tech style prevails here: an abundance of glass, steel, and concrete, open layouts, and landscape design integrated into the office environment.

Famous Residents and Natives of Ratingen

Ratingen has become a home and place of inspiration for many outstanding people — from pioneers of industrialisation to stars of the modern German scene. Here is a list of personalities whose names are inextricably linked with the history and culture of the city.

Historical Figures and Industrialists

• Johann Gottfried Brügelmann (1750–1802) — Industrialist and pioneer of industrialisation
  One of the most significant figures in the city's history. In 1783, Brügelmann founded the "Cromford" textile factory in Ratingen — the first mechanised spinning production on the European continent. His activities turned the quiet town into the cradle of the industrial revolution in Germany.
• Johann Peter Melchior (1747–1825) — Sculptor and porcelain artist
  A native of the Lintorf district who became one of the most famous masters of porcelain sculpture of his time. He worked at famous manufactories in Höchst, Frankenthal, and Nymphenburg. Melchior was personally acquainted with Goethe, and his works today adorn leading museums of applied arts.
• Jakob Oswald Hoffmann (1896–1972) — Entrepreneur and engineer
  Founder of the "Hoffmann-Werke" factories in Lintorf. After World War II, his enterprise became famous for the production of motorcycles and, notably, the licensed production of the famous Italian Vespa scooters, which became a symbol of the "economic miracle" era in Germany.

Figures of Culture, Media, and Sports

• Heribert Faßbender (born 1941) — Sports journalist and TV presenter
  Born in Ratingen. A legendary voice of German football, who headed the sports editorial office of the WDR channel for many years. His signature greeting "Good evening everyone" ("'n Abend allerseits") became iconic in Germany, and he received the nickname "Mr Sportschau".
• Dieter Nuhr (born 1960) — Cabaret artist, comedian, and satirist
  One of the most popular comedians in modern Germany spent his childhood and youth in Ratingen, where he graduated from high school. His intellectual humour and satirical programmes gather full halls across the country, but the artist does not forget his roots.
• Marius Müller-Westernhagen (born 1948) — Rock musician and actor
  An icon of German rock music. Although he was born in neighbouring Düsseldorf, the musician lived a significant part of his life in Ratingen (Hösel district). His work had a huge influence on German musical culture in the late 20th century.
• Sönke Wortmann (born 1959) — Film director
  Creator of such famous films as "The Miracle of Bern" (Das Wunder von Bern). The director is closely connected with the city and was even an active player for the local football club "Ratingen 04/19", which highlights his love for sports, often reflected in his cinematic works.