Some people still think I'm a bit snobby. But that's not true at all. Just because my Königsallee, or Kö for short, is famous for expensive clothes, doesn't mean I'm a bit out of touch. In fact, the opposite is true. Sure, I like to go shopping sometimes, but basically I would describe myself as the sociable type who prefers to sit outside in a beer garden or on the banks of the Rhine at sunset and chat to nice people. Just ask her yourself when you visit me. You'll be amazed at how relaxed I am in the state capital.
But above all, you'll be amazed. Because the exciting architecture I have to offer is something you won't find anywhere else. In the Media Harbour alone, one building is more unusual and spectacular than the next. Some, but I'm sure I'm wrong, will even ask you to dance. See for yourself! And be sure to take the underground. Because even the stations on the Werhahn line are small and large works of art. And then there's the Tonhalle. The building directly on the Rhine was originally planned as a planetarium. Today, however, concerts of all kinds take place under the large dome. A real experience, and not just for music lovers.
Another real eye-catcher that I'm really proud of is the latest new building in my "new centre": Kö-Bogen 2. 30,000 hornbeam hedges are growing on the roof of the main building between the Schauspielhaus and the Dreischeibenhaus, two other architectural highlights. A record! Europe's largest greenest façade is in Düsseldorf.
Speaking of records. Did you know that I am home to the third largest Japanese community in Europe? So if you fancy sushi, filled dumplings or noodle soup, pop into Little Tokyo on Immermannstraße.
But that's just by the way, because I really want to take you to the museum today. If you're interested in international art from the recent past, I'll take you to the two - architecturally very different - buildings of the Kunstsammlung NRW. The K20 collection focuses on paintings by German Expressionists, Cubists and Surrealists, while the exhibition at K21 concentrates on international contemporary art from the 1980s onwards. In the Kunstpalast am Ehrenhof, on the other hand, which has just opened with a new concept, the path leads through no less than eleven centuries. I'll leave you alone here for a while. I'll see you again later in the beer garden at sunset.
