Welcome to Düren

Municipal Coat of Arms decorated by flowers.

The city that looks back proudly on its history and builds the present confidently, so that the future here will remain worth living.

Lively is this city. A district town with more than forty schools, many choices for youth camps, diversified shopping opportunities, and a wide choice of cultural opportunities. Düren’s citizens have a distinct awareness of history, especially since the city was 97% destroyed during the Second World War. Düren mainly owes its boom in the 19th century to the paper industry. It received its appearance, that of a typical child of the 50’s, during the reconstruction period. Some of the buildings from that time, such as the town hall in the heart of the city, are therefore land marked today. The fact that Düren confesses to a harmonic cooperation of history and present is proven by the new Extension building, which complements the 100 year old building of the City‘s Museum. The support of young artists is emphasized by foundations and scholarships. Offers for music, festivities, and theater events are for all ages in the city on the Rur.

Open is this city for new ideas, new citizens and new ways for working and living together. Over 120 nations live here in peace, celebrating together in street festivals and meeting in associations and district meetings. As people from the Rhineland, called “Rheinländer,” Düren’s people are always ready for a happy get together. Every year hundreds of thousands of people come to the famous Anna Fair. Carnival, a jazz festival, and the historical Anna market are also a crowd puller. A well developed transport network opens the city to the rest of the world. Over 130 km of biking routes invite guests and visitors to get to know Düren.

Right in the middle is where the green center of the city runs along the Rur river with bike and hiking routes. Düren, situated in the middle of Cologne and Aachen, has many parks inviting you to come and relax. Festivities are mostly held in the city center. The weekly market in the heart of the city is a popular opportunity for gathering three times a week. Shopping opportunities, local authorities, schools, and apartments can be found in the center.

Whether you come to Düren for its consolidated shopping experience, to celebrate one of the festivities, to experience a theater or musical event, if you are just on a journey that leads you through the city with your bike, or if you are considering the idea of looking for a residence in Düren, you are always welcome to get to know and enrich this lively, open city that is right in the middle.