Wesel (Germany)

Wesel is a Rhine River cruise port and city in North Rhine-Westphalia state (Germany), with population around 60,000. The town is located at the confluence of Lippe and Rhine rivers. Its suburbs include Buderich, Blumenkamp, Feldmark, Fluren, Fusternberg, Ginderich, Lackhausen, Obrighoven.

The town started from a Franconian estate and was first recorded in mid-8th century. It became part of Duchy of Cleves (1092-1795, state of Holy Roman Empire / 800-1806) in early-12th century. Wessel became a Hanseatic city in mid-15th century. Within the within the Duchy of Cleves, in lower Rhine, it was the second by importance commercial town (after Koln / Cologne) serving as clearing station for transshipment and trade.

During WW2 (1939-1945), the city was heavily bombed by the Allied forces. At the end of the war (February 16, 17 and 19, 1945), 97% of all buildings were destroyed by air-burst bombs, and from around 25,000 citizens (in 1939), its population was reduced to under 2,000.

Buildings and places of interest in the city of Wesel include: Berliner Tor (early-18th century fortress), Willibrordi-Dom (cathedral), Zitadelle (citadel / fortified town area), Auesee (man-made bathing lake).