Viersen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

🇩🇪 Viersen is the capital of the district of Viersen, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

Geography Viersen is situated approximately 8 km north-west of Mönchengladbach, 15 km south-west of Krefeld and 20 km east of Venlo (Netherlands).

Division The city of Viersen is made up of three (formerly independent) cities: Süchteln, Dülken and Viersen, which combined in 1970, and one former village, Boisheim, which combined with Viersen in 1968.

Economy The companies Mars Incorporated (chocolate bars) and the "Kaiser's Tengelmann AG" (supermarkets) are situated in one of Viersen's industrial districts named Dülken-Mackenstein.

Recurring events • International Jazz Festival in Viersen's Festival Hall (Festhalle). September • The World Championships of Carom billiards take place in Viersen's Festival Hall (Festhalle). March • Big Carnival Parades in all 3 city parts. The one in Dülken is one of the biggest and most traditional Parades in North Rhine-Westphalia. February • The Dülkener Schöppenmarkt, a type of flea/junk market, which takes place on the day after the last Carnival parade, is one of Germany's biggest. February • Big free flea market in Viersen's pedestrian zone, where only children are allowed to sell. Biggest market of this type in Germany. Summer • "Viersen blüht" (Viersen is blooming) is a voluntary initiative which places arrangements and sculptures of flowers all over the city's pedestrian zone. Summer • International Biker Meeting, organized by the local biker-club "MC Viersen 1980 e.V". 2nd weekend each September • Viersen Jazz Festival. 4th weekend each September • Big kite-flying-festival. Autumn

Tourist Industry • Viersen sculpture collection • Städtische Galerie im Park Viersen • Viersen Bismarck Tower • Festhalle Viersen

Transport

Viersen is connected to the region by a dense bus network and Viersen station. The station is served by various local and regional rail lines.