Hanseatic city of Kalkar and Grieth on the Rhine

Kalkar and Grieth on the Rhine

Kalkar and Grieth were designated as Hanseatic by-towns under Wesel from 1540 onwards. Wesel represented Kalkar, Grieth and other smaller towns e.g. at Hanseatic and quarter days. They themselves were neither economically nor politically in a position to play an independent active role in the Hanseatic League but participated in meetings and consultations of the Kleve group of towns on Hanseatic matters.

Trade and family connections from Kalkar and Grieth to Danzig and Norway are documented. Merchants from Kalkar traveled to Nijmegen, Deventer, Kampen and Zwolle as well as to Gotland, Lübeck, Danzig and Hamburg. They also maintained contacts with Westphalian Hanseatic towns. Trade goods were primarily grain, beer and sheepskins. On May 20, 1572, Kalkar, Grieth and other towns in Kleve declared their withdrawal from the Hanseatic League.

Facts & Figures

Founded

Year 1230

Location

51.78651 latitude and 6.313300 longitude

Population

14115

UNESCO World Heritage

Lower Germanic Limes, 2021

What is the city known for?

Kalkar:
Historical city center with St. Nicolai church
Grieth:
Old fishermen and boatmen town located directly on the Rhine with cycle ferry Grieth-Grietherort

Events

“May has come – the Sunday market in Kalkar”, 2nd Sunday in Mai, flower- and herb market, regional products
Summer in the city: beach atmosphere on the historical market place with events every weekend, mid-June to mid-July
Nicholas market, 1st advent weekend