Castle Burg Linn - Castle Moyland - Kleve

Route: Dusseldorf - Castle Burg Linn - Castle Moyland - Kleve - Dusseldorf
Duration: 7 h
Our first place for visit in this tour will be at the Linn Castle was built at the end of the XII century by Baron Otto von Linn. Its construction was inspired by Byzantine architecture, which he saw during the Crusades. After the Baron’s death, his son Gerard finished the castle’s construction. In the XV-XVII centuries, Linn Castle was one of the strongest fortresses in the whole Lower Rhine. Surrounded by a moat and a series of powerful walls, with the high main tower (donjon), it defended the local population and carried out an important defensive function.  After the restoration it houses Linn museum center. Its collection includes archaeological artifacts from prehistoric times (e.g. residues of ancient Celtic "chairs" from Mount Hulser) to the Romans, among which are the findings of the Frankish period such as cups, remains of a wooden ship, and more. Terracotta ware from southern Gaul and the golden helmet belonging to Baron Otto von Lynn are also interesting: he brought the latter as a trophy from Byzantium. A few rooms, furnished according to the canons of the XVIII-XIX centuries can be seen in a renovated hunting lodge (Jagdschlösschen) near Linn Castle. The typical Lower Rhine kitchen with all kinds of utensils is also presented here. Next we will visit the Moyland Castle in Bedburg-Hau.Since its restoration in the 1990s the neogothic water castle is a significant museum for modern and contemporary art. Besides others the foundation museum Schloss Moyland possesses the world’s largest collection of art works from Joseph Beuys and is a research centre of international degree. Moreover historical gardens stretch around the castle at the Lower Rhine. The castle, which dates back to the early 14th century, provides the museum with an impressive backdrop. Once a medieval moated castle, Moyland Castle was converted to its current appearance in the 19th century by Cologne Cathedral architect Ernst Friedrich Zwirner, who transformed it in the Gothic Revival style. The garden was also restored to its traditional, historic state. Between Baroque elements, such as avenues and moats, you will encounter a sculpture garden and herb garden.Next we will visit the Kleve which has a long tradition as a city of culture, art and history . The Schwanenburg, or Swan Castle, is one of the city’s most notaeable pieces of cultural heritage. It once served as the residence of the counts and dukes who ruled over Kleve and its territories. Today it’s one of the city’s most prominent features, visible for miles in any direction. Other noteable cultural sites are the Collegiate Church St. Maria Himmelfahrt; the B.C. Koekkoek-Haus, former residence of the famous Dutch landscape artist and currently a museum and gallery dedicated to him; as well as the Museum Kurhaus Kleve, a museum of art located next to the city’s Forstgarten, an historical garden complex in baroque style that provided inspiration for Versailles and the Potsdam City Palace in Berlin.After free time we return to Dusseldorf.
Price: per person