Rachael's interesting guide to interesting places in Wesel Innenstadt

If you were to come to Wesel, what interesting things would you see or do? If you read a normal tour guide, it would probably say the Rhine, or the Niederrhein Halle, or the Rathaus. Yes, the Rhine is spectacular, and yes, sometimes interesting events take place in the Niederrhein Halle, and sure, the Rathaus can be interesting if you're getting your Visa. But what are the normal places to which the city's inhabitants go? What might interest someone staying in Wesel?

Introducing: Rachael's interesting guide to interesting places in Wesel Innenstadt.

1) Marktplatz and Dom
A picturesque view by night, a bustling market place on Saturdays, Wesel's market place and Dom is a must-see. The Dom is one of the view in Europe which is inhabited by Lutherans, not Catholics. If you are lucky, you might be in Wesel on the open-church day, during which you can climb the 216 stairs to the top of the spire and overlook the city. The market place also sometimes hosts flea markets, shooting celebrations, parades, Christmas markets, and the occasional disco.

2) Kaufhof Wesel

Direct in the middle of the pedestrian zone, and easily Wesel's largest store, in Kaufhof you can buy all your needs from clothes to chocolate. But that's not what makes it important. It's an ideal place to initially meet with friends because it lies right around the corner from...

3) Mathenakreuz

Mathenakreuz is the bus stop which drops you off right in the heart of Wesel's pedestrian zone. Buses run through from the Wesel train station to Hamminkeln, Bocholt, Flüren, and more. 96, my personal bus of preference, runs in the direction of Blumenkamp 2 minutes after every hour.

4) Sparkasse

You can't go to Europe and not spend money. That's why there's always Sparkasse where you can withdraw money from the international atm. There are three Sparkasse in Wesel innenstadt, one at each end and one in the middle, so whereever you are, there's no difficulty in picking up a little extra cash.

5) The ?????

Not particularly important, but certainly interesting, is this structure in the pedestrian zone. Many question its function and, indeed, what it is exactly. Some say it's a child's play place, others say it's a modern-style piece of architecture--made of wood. The current consensus is that it might be a church. Or a house. Or simply ESA's latest spacecraft model. But if you don't spend time pondering over it, Wesel's citizens probably wouldn't mind.

6) Comet Kino

Wesel's movie theater. Located in a "Passage," that is a tiny, tiny mall, Comet Kino is a fine place to practice your German skills, if you haven't already gone up to random pedestrians saying, "Ich bin eine glückliche Schnecke!" If it is playing a good film, go on a Tuesday, tickets are cheaper. If you happen to go see a Disney film, be sure to arrive plenty early in order to listen to the Germanified Disney prelude music.

7) Stadtbücherei

Need more German practice? Or perhaps a break from German? The library is the perfect place to spend a few hours peace and quiet and read a good book. There is a large selection of German children's books to pick from, or, if you're daring, upstairs, in the passage above the street, are the adult German books. Also upstairs is the library's fair selection of English books with a proportionally large collection of Agatha Christie. The library is right next door to the Rathaus, so if you want to pay the "Isel von Wesel" a visit, now would be a fine opportunity.

8) Kornmarkt

There's nothing better than to sit down and have a cup of cocoa at the end of the day. The cafes on Kornmarkt provide a warm place to sit and drink and chat with friends. Alex in particular is a friendly place which attracts many young people.

Other places which might be interesting to see:

-Wesel Hauptbahnhof: If you really want to leave the beautiful city of Wesel, the Deutsche Bahn will take you. Leaving the whole day in a group of 2-5 people? 5-er tickets are the way to go.

-The Yellow Haus: Play chess? Wednesdays and Fridays, 6-8pm. Be prepared to get whooped by the pros.

-Niederrhein Halle: As stated before, some interesting events take place here, for example Shooting fests or dance expositions.

-Saturn: In case your camera bateries run out.

-Berlin Turm: At the end of the pedestrian zone is an old structure which hosts a very expensive restaurant at its top.

-Isel: Move its ears, mouth and tail!

Be sure to pay Wesel a visit on your next German rendeveu.

Wesel--Naturlich.