Krefeld, Germany

Krefeld is located in Germany on the West bank of the lower Rhine River, not far from Holland. The area around Krefeld is rather flat and contains many backwaters left by the Rhine when it altered its course.

Krefeld is a beautiful mix of the old and new, with a spacious plaza and pedestrian area at the center of the the city joining three of the major cultural facilities, the Seidenweberhaus (Silkweaver's House), the Municipal Theater and the Public Library. In addition, Krefeld has three art museums and the Museum Burg Linn, a restored Medieval moated castle. Of special historical interest to Americans is Philadelphia house, built in 1955 in memory of the 13 Krefeld Mennonite families who in 1683 were the first Germans to immigrate to the United States.

Krefeld's history dates back to the year 69 AD when it was part of the Holy Roman Empire. During the ensuing centuries the town assumed different names as it was dominated by the Franks, the Earl of Moers, Prussia and Napoleon. It owes it's modern name to the Mennonites who came from France in the 17th century. These immigrants were recognized throughout Europe as skilled weavers of silk and velvet. Even today, 8 out of 10 ties worn in Germany are manufactured in Krefeld. This is reflected in Krefeld's official motto, "Stadt wie Samt und Seide" (A City Like Velvet and Silk).

Krefeld contains many parks and wooded areas, a zoo, a horse racing track, two ice hockey stadiums and public swimming pools. A soccer stadium is home to Krefeld's professional team, which competes in the top level of the German league. A large man-made lake offers many leisure activities. Constructed when one million cubic meters of gravel was excavated to build a highway, it now forms the heart of a new recreation area.