DÜSSELDOFF, formerly capital of the duchy of Berg, but now of a cognominal government in Rhenish Prussia. It is situated at the confluence of the Düssel with the Rhine, 22 miles north from Cologne. The old town of Düsseldorf existed previously to 1288, when it became a
municipal town. In 1815 it was annexed with the whole duchy to the Prussian dominions. It was at one time a considerable fortress, but after having been bombarded by the French in 1794, the fortifications were destroyed at the peace of Luneville in 1802. One of the wings of the old castle, however, has been rebuilt, and contained down to 1805 the collection of paintings which is now at Munich. It is divided into three quarters, viz. the Altstadt, Neustadt, and Carlstadt; the last deriving its name from Charles Theodore, the elector Palatine, who projected a variety of improvements in the town. The streets are generally spacious, and the suburbs are laid out in ornamental pleasure-grounds. The Hof-garten is one of the finest in Germany. In the market-place is an equestrian statue of Johann Wilhelm the elector; and a marble statue of the same individual adorns the courtyard of the old electoral palace. The principal public buildings of Düsseldorf are the governor's palace, the town-hall, courts of law, observatory, library, and churches. Of these last the oldest is St Andrew's. In it, and in the church of St Lambert, are monuments of the former princes of Düsseldorf. A native school of art has arisen since 1828, and is peculiarly vigorous in the department of historical painting. Düsseldorf derives its mercantile importance from its position on the Rhine, and serves as a port to the various manufacturing districts of the duchy. Manufactures—woollens, cottons, leather, ironware, jewellery, &c. Its principal trade is in raw produce, coals, and timber. It has constant communications by steamers on the Rhine, and also by railways, with various parts of Germany. Pop. (1851) 27,762.