Krefeld

Krefeld ( KRAY-feld, -⁠felt, German: [ˈkʁeːfɛlt] ; Limburgish: Krieëvel [ˈkʀiə˦vəl]), also spelled Crefeld until 1925 (though the spelling was still being used in British papers throughout the Second World War), is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, in western Germany. It is located northwest of Düsseldorf, its center lying just a few kilometers to the west of the river Rhine; the borough of Uerdingen is situated directly on the Rhine. Because of its economic past, Krefeld is often referred to as the "Velvet and Silk City". It is accessed by the autobahns A57 (Cologne–Nijmegen) and A44 (Aachen–Düsseldorf–Dortmund–Kassel). The city's origins lie in a medieval settlement first documented in the 12th century. After passing to the County of Moers, Krefeld came under the rule of the House of Orange-Nassau in the early modern period, when policies of religious toleration encouraged the settlement of Mennonites, whose commercial networks contributed significantly to its economic growth. The city became part of the Kingdom of Prussia in 1702 and expanded rapidly during the Industrial Revolution. In 1929 it was enlarged through the incorporation of neighbouring municipalities, including Uerdingen, forming the modern city. Krefeld is known for its extensive parks and tree-lined avenues, as well as for cultural institutions including the Kunstmuseen Krefeld. Notable sights include the medieval Linn Castle and the adjoining historic old town of Linn. The city is also associated with modern architecture, particularly Haus Lange and Haus Esters, designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.