The former Inner Harbor in Duisburg is now home to the gastro scene, a few museums and the archive of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia. Not much going on so early during the day, it makes the perfect backdrop for a pleasant promenade.

The former mill Küppersmühle – a museum for modern art nowadays – is shining anew after a bit of a revamp by Herzog & De Meuron. Old windows out, new windows in.

Get close to the Archives to get a better look of the patterns in the walls. This building is also remodeled. The mix of old industrial and new urban architecture works really well, I think.

Wilhelm Lehmbruck is an artist who created sculptures in the beginning of the 20th century that are said to have changed the arts forever. He was born in Duisburg, so there is a museum dedicated to his work. His long-limbed creations speak of misery and the suffering of man. Lehmbruck experimented with different materials and invented new ones like a type of cast stone.

There is a sculpture park around the museum, perfect for sitting on one of the many park benches and enjoying a little picnic. Unfortunately, large sections of the park are currently under construction.

Another section of the museum is home to a temporary exhibition, this time to Lehmbruck-prize laureate Rebecca Horn, who specializes in moving sculptures but has possibly dipped her toe in any artform available.

If you love steaks, Pesas AllSteaks (former Haus Rösgen) is the place to go. They do Argentinian Steaks, US Steaks and Irish Dry Aged Steaks in different cuts and sizes. They all come with a knob of garlic butter and mango chutney. While the steaks are topnotch, be aware that the dishes they do not specialize in are quite average.

 

March 31st 2018