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Kleve
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Kleve (German pronunciation: [ˈkleːvə] ⓘ; traditional English: Cleves /kliːvz/ KLEEVZ; Dutch: Kleef [ˈkleːf] ⓘ; French: Clèves [klɛv]; Spanish: Cléveris; Latin: Clivia; Low Rhenish: Kleff) is a town in the Lower Rhine region of northwestern Germany near the Dutch border and the River Rhine. From the 11th century onwards, Cleves was capital of a county and later a duchy. Today, Cleves is the capital of the district of Kleve in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The city is home to one of the campuses of the Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences.

Key Information

Territory of the municipality

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In addition to the inner city, the territory of Kleve comprises fourteen villages and populated places: Bimmen, Brienen, Donsbrüggen, Düffelward, Griethausen, Keeken, Kellen, Materborn, Reichswalde, Rindern, Salmorth, Schenkenschanz, Warbeyen and Wardhausen.

History

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The name Kleff probably derives from Middle Dutch clef, clif 'cliff, bluff', referring to the promontory on which the Schwanenburg castle was constructed. Since the city's coat of arms displays three clover leaves (German Klee, Low German Kliev), the city's name is sometimes linked by folk etymology to the clover, but the corresponding Dutch word is klaver.[3]

The Schwanenburg Castle, which was the residence of the Dukes of Cleves, stands on a steep hill. It is located at the northern terminus of the Kermisdahl[further explanation needed] where it joins with the Spoykanal, which was previously an important transportation link to the Rhine. The old castle has a massive tower, the Schwanenturm 180 feet (55 m) high, that is associated in legend with the Knight of the Swan, immortalized in Richard Wagner's Lohengrin.

Medieval Kleve grew together from four parts – the Schwanenburg Castle, the village below the castle, the first city of Kleve on Heideberg Hill, and the Neustadt ("New City"), dating from the 14th century. In 1242 Kleve received city rights. The Duchy of Cleves, which roughly covered today's districts of Kleve, Wesel and Duisburg, was united with the Duchy of Mark in 1368, was made a duchy itself in 1417, then united with the neighboring duchies of Jülich and Berg in 1521, when John III, Duke of Cleves, married Mary, heiress of Jülich-Berg-Ravenburg.

Kleve's most famous native was Anne of Cleves (1515–1557), daughter of John III, Duke of Cleves and (briefly) the fourth wife of Henry VIII of England. Several local businesses are named after her, including the Anne von Kleve Galerie.

Cleves in the 17th century

The ducal dynasty became extinct in the male line in 1609, leading to a succession crisis in the duchies: the War of the Jülich Succession (1609–1614). After the Thirty Years' War ended in 1648, the succession dispute was resolved with Cleves passing to the elector of Brandenburg, thus becoming an exclave of the Margraviate of Brandenburg, later Brandenburg-Prussia.

During the Thirty Years' War the city had been under the control of the Dutch Republic, which in 1647 had given Johann Moritz von Nassau-Siegen administrative control over the city. He approved a renovation of Schwanenburg Castle in the baroque style, constructed a baroque palace, the Prinzenhof, and commissioned the construction of extensive gardens that greatly influenced European landscape design. Significant amounts of his original plan for Kleve were put into effect and have been maintained to the present, a particularly well-loved example of which is the Forstgarten (Forest Garden). In 1685, a commune of French Huguenots was established in the town, and French church services were held in the castle.[4] In 1701, Cleves became part of the Kingdom of Prussia.

Mid 17th century Forest Garden

During the War of the First Coalition, Cleves was captured by French Revolutionary troops on 19 October 1794. In 1795 it was incorporated into the Roer department, which became part of the Cisrhenian Republic in 1797, which in turn was formally annexed by the French First Republic in 1802, becoming the French First Empire in 1804. Prussia retrieved the city in 1815.

City and port of Kleve (c. 1895)

The mineral waters of Kleve and the wooded parkland surrounding it made it a fashionable spa in the 19th century. At this time, Kleve was named "Bad Cleve" (English: Spa of Cleves). It was not until 1935 when the German spelling of its name was officially changed from Cleve to Kleve.[5]

During World War II Kleve was the site of one of the two radio wave stations that served the Knickebein aircraft navigation system. Luftwaffe bombers used radio beams from Kleve and a second station at Stolberg to navigate to British targets.[6] The Knickebein system was eventually jammed by the British. It was replaced by the higher frequency X-Gerät system, which used transmitter stations located on the channel coast of France.

British infantry advance through bombed-out Kleve, February 1945

Kleve was heavily bombed during the Second World War, and over 90% of buildings in the city were severely damaged. During a raid on 7 October 1944 a Halifax bomber crashed into the Schwanenburg Castle.[7] Most of the destruction was the result of a raid late in the war in 1945, conducted at the request of Lieutenant-General Brian Horrocks in preparation for Operation Veritable. Horrocks recounted his decision in the 1973 television documentary The World at War:

"Then they came to me and they said, 'Do you want the town of Cleve taken out?' By 'taken out' they meant the whole of the heavy bombers putting on to Cleve. Now, I knew that Cleve was a very fine old historical German town. Anne of Cleve, one of Henry VIII's wives, came from there. I knew that there were a lot of civilians in Cleve, men, women and children. If I said no, they would live. If I said yes, they would die. A terrible decision you’ve got to take. But... everything depended on getting a high piece of ground at Nütterden. The German reserves would have to come through Cleve, and we would have to breach the Siegfried Line and get there. And your own lives, your own troops, must come first, so I said yes, I did want it taken out. But when all those bombers went over, the night just before zero hour, to take out Cleve, I felt a murderer. And after the war I had an awful lot of nightmares, but always Cleve."[8]

Horrocks later said that this had been "the most terrible decision I had ever taken in my life" and that he felt "physically sick" when he saw the bombers overhead.[9][10]

As a result of the bombing, and subsequent fighting in the town (notably by the 129th Brigade of the 43rd Wessex Division, which entered the town in error on 10 February[11]), relatively little of the pre-1945 city remains. Those structures spared include a number of historic villas built during the heyday of the spa Bad Kleve, located along the B9 near the Tiergarten. Of those buildings destroyed, many were reconstructed, including most of the Schwanenburg and the Stiftskirche, the Catholic parish church. Constructed on high ground, many of these landmarks can be seen from the surrounding communities.

Since 1953 there has been a broadcasting facility for FM radio and television from regional broadcaster WDR near Kleve. The current aerial mast was brought into service in 1993. The steel tube mast rises 126.4 metres high and has a diameter of 1.6 metres. It is stabilized by guy wires attached at 57 and 101.6 metres height.

After the Second World War important employers in the area were associated with the West German "Economic Miracle" (Wirtschaftswunder), and included the XOX Bisquitfabrik (XOX Biscuit Factory) GmbH and the Van den Berg'schen Margerinewerke (Van den Berg’s Margarine Factory). Another important employer was the Elefanten-Kinderschuhfabrik (Elephant Children's Shoe Factory).

Retail became an increasingly important industry, particularly after the institution of the euro in 2002. Dutch citizens often crossed the open border to patronize Kleves retailers, and much of the euros spent on shopping in Kleve came from the Netherlands. Lower costs of real estate have attracted a wave of Dutch citizens, who purchased houses in the area.

Demographics

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Historical population
YearPop.±%
18156,517—    
18326,990+7.3%
18679,209+31.7%
189813,724+49.0%
191018,135+32.1%
192019,453+7.3%
193021,561+10.8%
193921,784+1.0%
195028,740+31.9%
196021,129−26.5%
197045,675+116.2%
198045,899+0.5%
199047,191+2.8%
200048,926+3.7%
201049,794+1.8%
201350,650+1.7%

Census data

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According to the Statistical Yearbook of Cleves[12] as of 2013, 50,650 people resided in the city. The population density was 517.9 people per square kilometer. 86.7% of the residents had the German citizenship (including residents with dual citizenship) and 10.1% another EU citizenship (5.6% Dutch and 2.9% Polish).

In the city, in 2013, the population was distributed with 19.7% under the age of 21, 25.6% from 21 to 40, 29.7% from 41 to 60, 20.1% from 61 to 80, and 4.9% who were 81 years of age or older. For every 100 females, there were 96.7 males. For every 100 females age 21 and over, there were 93.9 males.

81.3% of the citizens lived in households without children under the age of 18, 9.2% with one child, 6.1% with two children, 1.7% with three children, and 0.1% with four children or more.

Religion

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Like the rest of the Lower Rhine region, Kleve is a predominantly Roman Catholic city.[12] The city is part of the Diocese of Münster. 61.1% of the residents are Roman Catholics, 14.4% Protestant, and 24.6% "Other". The largest section of this group are residents without any religious affiliation, but there are also sizeable Russian Orthodox and Muslim communities in Kleve.

The synagogue of Kleve was destroyed during Kristallnacht and is today commemorated on the Synagogenplatz (Synagogue square) on which the building's outline can be seen. The fifty killed Jewish citizens of Cleves are remembered with signs that tell their names, and dates and places of death.[13]

In 1767 the town was at the center of a controversy between prominent European rabbis, known as "The Kleve Divorce", over the legality of a divorce granted by a groom whose sanity was in doubt.

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Climate

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Climate data for Kleve (1991-2020)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Daily mean °C (°F) 3.0
(37.4) 		3.5
(38.3) 		6.3
(43.3) 		10.0
(50.0) 		13.6
(56.5) 		16.5
(61.7) 		18.5
(65.3) 		17.9
(64.2) 		14.6
(58.3) 		10.6
(51.1) 		6.6
(43.9) 		3.7
(38.7) 		10.4
(50.7)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 70.4
(2.77) 		63.8
(2.51) 		56.5
(2.22) 		44.2
(1.74) 		62.0
(2.44) 		70.1
(2.76) 		81.8
(3.22) 		79.9
(3.15) 		67.9
(2.67) 		70.6
(2.78) 		71.4
(2.81) 		80.1
(3.15) 		818.7
(32.22)
Mean monthly sunshine hours 53 73 125 178 212 212 218 201 153 111 59 43 1,638
Source: Deutscher Wetterdienst[14][15][16]

Government

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City Council

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Prior to the Nazi Era, Kleve's local politics were dominated by the Catholic Centre Party. This situation continued with the Christian Democratic successor party CDU after the Second World War, in spite of resettled displaced people from eastern Germany, most of them Protestants. Until 2004 the CDU controlled an absolute majority of the city council.

Since the last local elections on 25 May 2020 the following parties are represented in Cleves' city council.[17] In addition to nationwide parties, Offene Klever (Open Cleves) has a number of seats.

Party % Seats
CDU (Christian Democrats) 38.6 21
Green Party 22.5 12
SPD (Social Democrats) 19 10
Open Cleves 6.9 4
FDP (Liberals) 6.5 4
AfD (Far-Right) 4.4 2
Independent 2.2 1
Participation: 42.3%

The next local elections are scheduled for 2026.

Mayor

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In 2015, Sonja Northing (no party affiliation) became mayor of Kleve, with 64.5% of the vote. Her candidacy was supported by the SPD and FDP, and opposed by CDU and Green Party candidates. Northing was the first mayor of Cleves since World War II who was not a CDU member.[18] In 2020 Wolfgang Gebing (CDU) was elected mayor.[1]

Language and dialect

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The native language of Kleve and much of the Lower Rhine region is a Low Franconian dialect known as Kleverlandish (Dutch: Kleverlands, German: Kleverländisch), but the official language is Standard High German, which is dominant among the younger generation.

Because of its geographical location at the Dutch-German border, there is a strong overlap in culture and language. One example of this is Govert Flinck (1615–1660), who though born in Kleve established himself as a Dutch artist. On the other hand, the Dutch artist Barend Cornelis Koekkoek (1803–1862) settled in Kleve and became a successful landscape painter. His works are collected by and exhibited in the local museum Haus Koekkoek for his and others' romantic paintings.

Twin towns – sister cities

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See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Germany

Kleve is twinned with:[19]

Notable people

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See also

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Kleve

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from Grokipedia
Kleve is a town in the Kleve district of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, situated in the Lower Rhine region adjacent to the Dutch border and along the Rhine River. With a population of approximately 53,500 as of 2024, it serves as an administrative and cultural center in the region. First documented in 1092 and granted town rights in 1242 by Count Dietrich IV, Kleve emerged as the residence of the Counts of Cleves, later elevated to dukes. The town was the historic seat of the , a territory that expanded through marriages and inheritances, notably uniting with the Duchies of and Berg in 1521 under Duke John III, influencing regional power dynamics in the until succession disputes fragmented it in the early 17th century. Kleve's defining features include the medieval Schwanenburg , a symbol of its swan-associated heritage, and expansive public gardens such as the Forstgarten and Tiergarten, which attract visitors for their landscape design inspired by English and French styles. The town also hosts the Haus Koekkoek museum, dedicated to the works of 19th-century Romantic painter Barend Cornelis Koekkoek, who resided there and contributed to its reputation as an artistic hub. Economically, Kleve benefits from its cross-border location, fostering trade and tourism with the , while maintaining a focus on sustainable urban development, including climate-resilient for like the 2029 Landesgartenschau. Its proximity to the supports and , though the area has transitioned toward services and cultural preservation amid post-World War II reconstruction.

Geography

Location and Territory

Kleve is situated in the northwestern part of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, within the Lower Rhine region and serving as the administrative seat of the Kleve district. The town lies approximately 80 km northwest of Düsseldorf and less than 8 km south of the international border with the Netherlands. Its central coordinates are 51°47′N 6°08′E. The municipal territory of Kleve encompasses 97.76 km², comprising urban areas, forested regions, and agricultural lands characteristic of the Rhine plain. This area reflects expansions through administrative mergers, including the incorporation of surrounding villages in the 20th century. To the west and north, Kleve directly adjoins the Dutch province of Gelderland, facilitating cross-border interactions and forming part of the densely populated Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan influence zone. Domestically, its eastern and southern boundaries connect with other municipalities in the Kleve district, such as Goch and Kevelaer, while the Rhine River flows nearby to the southwest, shaping hydrological and economic ties in the region.

Physical Environment and Climate

Kleve lies in the of western , at an elevation of approximately 12 meters above , with terrain characterized by gentle hills interspersed with flat lowlands. The surrounding landscape includes extensive wooded areas, such as the Klever Reichswald state forest, which covers 51 square kilometers and represents the largest contiguous forested region in the Lower Rhine area. The town is proximate to major waterways, including the River to the southwest, to which it connects via a , and the Niers River, a 113-kilometer of the that traverses the vicinity and supports local . This riverine and forested setting contributes to a diverse , with the terrain transitioning from river valleys to upland forests, fostering habitats for various and . Kleve experiences a temperate classified as Cfb under the Köppen system, marked by mild, wet conditions year-round with no extreme temperature fluctuations. Average annual totals 859 millimeters, distributed moderately across seasons, while temperatures typically range from a winter low of 1°C to a summer high of 23°C, rarely dropping below -7°C or exceeding 30°C. This supports the region's lush vegetation and agricultural productivity, though it is prone to occasional flooding from nearby rivers.

History

Early Settlement and Medieval Foundations

Archaeological evidence indicates that the earliest traces of human activity in Kleve date to around 1100, during the , with no substantial pre-medieval settlements identified in the immediate area, which was largely part of the densely forested Klever Reichswald. The strategic location near the and the imperial forest prompted the establishment of administrative control, leading to the construction of hilltop fortifications typical of the 10th to 11th centuries. The Schwanenburg Castle, the foundational structure of Kleve, served as the seat of the counts and is documented in sources from the early , with indirect references to a by 1145. The of Cleves itself first appears in historical records in the , initially tasked by Emperor Henry II with managing the expansive Reichswald forest around , which encompassed much of the region's woodlands. This administrative role fostered the growth of a settlement below the castle, forming the kernel of the medieval town. Kleve received its town charter in 1242 from Count Dietrich of Cleves, marking the formal foundation of the urban center and enabling structured development across : the castle hill, the village area, and the emerging city on the Heideberg. By the late , the town had coalesced from these components, including an additional settlement nucleus, supported by its position on trade routes and proximity to the , though growth remained modest due to the encircling forests and feudal dependencies. The castle's prominence, reinforced by legends of swan knights, underscored its role as both defensive stronghold and power symbol for the rising county.

Rise of the Duchy of Cleves

The County of Cleves emerged in the late Carolingian period as a territory along the , serving as a strategic point on trade routes between the and . Its early rulers, from the House of Cleves, managed modest holdings centered around the town of Cleves, with the Schwanenburg serving as a key fortress and administrative hub. A pivotal expansion occurred in 1368 when, following the death of Count John without male heirs, the county passed to his nephew Adolf III of the , uniting Cleves with the adjacent in . This inheritance doubled the territory's extent, incorporating resource-rich lands and enhancing its military and economic position amid feudal rivalries in the region. Adolf III's successors, including his son Adolf II and grandson Adolf I, consolidated control through defensive fortifications and alliances, laying groundwork for elevated status. The formal rise to duchy status came in 1417, when Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund granted ducal rank to Adolf I, recognizing the territory's growing influence and the loyalty of its rulers during imperial conflicts. This elevation transformed Cleves from a secondary county into a peer among Rhineland duchies, with expanded privileges in taxation, justice, and feudal levies. Adolf I (r. 1405–1448) focused on internal stability, while his son John I (r. 1448–1481), known as "the Warlike," aggressively pursued further gains through campaigns against neighboring lords, securing additional estates and elevating Cleves' regional prominence by the late 15th century.

Early Modern Conflicts and Decline

The , with Kleve as a key residence, reached a peak of regional influence in the late under John William, who ruled from 1592 until his death on March 25, 1609, without male heirs. This vacuum triggered competing claims from the Protestant Elector John Sigismund of , whose wife was a Cleves heir, and the Catholic Wolfgang William of Neuburg, leading to mutual occupations and escalating tensions along the . The crisis drew in external powers, including the , which seized Kleve and other territories in July 1609 to block Habsburg-Spanish expansion, while Spanish forces under Archduke Albert occupied . The resulting War of the Jülich Succession (1609–1614) involved skirmishes, sieges, and diplomatic maneuvering, foreshadowing broader religious and dynastic strife in the lead-up to the ; forces backed , while Catholic League supporters aligned with Neuburg. The conflict ended with the Treaty of Xanten on October 12, 1614, partitioning the duchies: received Cleves, Mark, and Ravensberg (approximately 4,000 square kilometers with 200,000 inhabitants), while Neuburg gained and Berg. This division fragmented the once-unified entity, stripping Kleve of its central role in a cohesive power bloc and exposing the region to rival influences without a single dominant ruler. The partition's effects compounded during the Thirty Years' War (1618–1648), as Cleves under Brandenburg-Prussian administration faced repeated invasions, including Swedish occupations in the 1630s and Imperial-Confederate ravages, leading to demographic losses estimated at 20–30% in Rhineland territories from plague, famine, and combat. Economically, the loss of integrated ducal revenues and trade networks—previously bolstered by Cleves' strategic position on Rhine-Dutch routes—contributed to stagnation; agricultural output declined amid disrupted markets, and urban privileges in Kleve eroded without the patronage of a resident duke. The 1666 Treaty of Cleves formalized the split, confirming Brandenburg's holdings but entrenching divided sovereignty that diminished the area's geopolitical weight into the 18th century. By the Prussian era post-1701, Kleve transitioned from a fragmented duchy capital to a peripheral Prussian district seat, marking a relative decline from medieval and Renaissance prominence.

Industrial Era and World Wars

In the , Kleve transitioned from a residential town to a spa destination known as "Bad Cleve," leveraging its mineral springs and surrounding woodlands to attract visitors, which initially delayed broader economic diversification. Industrial development began later, as the springs diminished, enabling the establishment of manufacturing. By the early , the shoe industry emerged as a key sector, with nine factories employing 650 workers in 1902 and expanding to fifteen by 1913, reflecting localized growth in light manufacturing amid Germany's wider industrialization. Kleve experienced limited direct involvement in , though a in the Schwanenburg courtyard honors local soldiers killed between 1914 and 1918. During , the town served as a site for beams in the Knickebein system, aiding bomber guidance toward British targets until countermeasures disrupted it. Kleve suffered extensive aerial bombardment, including a major RAF raid on 7 October 1944 and a devastating attack on 7–8 by 285 Lancaster bombers dropping 1,384 tons of high explosives, which razed much of the urban core. British and Canadian forces captured the ruins on 11 as part of , overcoming fierce resistance and terrain challenges in the adjacent Reichswald forest to secure the approaches.

Postwar Reconstruction and Contemporary Developments

Kleve suffered extensive destruction during the final months of , with British bombing raids on October 7, 1944, and February 7–8, 1945, leveling approximately 95% of the city center using over 1,300 tons of explosives and resulting in hundreds of civilian deaths. Ground fighting during further devastated the area, leading to Allied capture of the city on February 11, 1945. Initial postwar recovery occurred under British occupation until 1949, with local residents driving rubble clearance and basic rebuilding amid shortages, supplemented by international including Swiss relief efforts for children in Kleve and nearby areas. By the , reconstruction accelerated as part of West Germany's broader , incorporating modern while preserving landmarks like Schwanenburg Castle; housing and infrastructure were prioritized, with the rebounding from wartime lows through migration and industrial job creation. In the late , Kleve integrated into North Rhine-Westphalia's administrative structure following territorial reforms, shifting from agrarian roots toward services and , bolstered by its proximity to the Dutch for trade. Contemporary developments emphasize sustainable growth, including the 2009 establishment of , which promotes binational education and research with enrollment exceeding 7,000 students by 2023. The city, now home to about 53,000 residents, focuses on via its gardens and historical sites, cross-border cooperation, and green initiatives like the planned 2026 State Garden Show.

Demographics

Population Dynamics and Census Data

As of December 31, 2022, the population of Kleve stood at 53,388 residents, reflecting a Zensus-adjusted figure from official statistics. This marked an increase of 918 individuals from the previous year, primarily attributable to net positive migration rather than natural growth. Historical census and population register data indicate steady growth since the early 1990s, with some fluctuations tied to methodologies and economic factors. The rose from 47,160 in 1992 to 49,254 in 2007, experienced a temporary decline to 47,826 in 2012—likely influenced by the 2011 federal revisions that adjusted prior estimates downward across many German municipalities—before rebounding to 51,320 in 2017 and 53,388 in 2022. Over the period from 2016 to 2022, the average annual growth rate equated to approximately 2.87 per 1,000 inhabitants, driven by in-migration exceeding out-migration.
YearPopulation
199247,160
199748,660
200249,160
200749,254
201247,826
201751,320
202253,388
In 2022, vital statistics underscored a demographic imbalance: 476 live births contrasted with 700 deaths, yielding a natural decrease of 224 persons. This deficit was offset by migratory inflows of 4,949 individuals against 3,753 outflows, resulting in a net migration gain of 1,196. Such patterns align with broader trends in regions like Kleve, where proximity to the facilitates cross- commuting and settlement, contributing to sustained population expansion despite aging demographics. Projections from state models anticipate moderate continued growth, contingent on sustained and .

Ethnic Composition and Migration Patterns

Kleve's is overwhelmingly ethnic German, comprising the vast majority of residents, with foreign nationals accounting for approximately 22.5% of the total as of recent estimates derived from official aggregates. This figure equates to about 11,740 individuals with non-German citizenship out of a total of around 52,208, reflecting a higher-than-average share compared to the national level of roughly 13% foreign nationals in . The ethnic composition is tracked primarily through data, as conducts no formal ethnic , though naturalized citizens of foreign origin may understate non-German heritage. Among foreign residents, EU citizens predominate, numbering around 7,398, with non-EU foreigners at 4,342; Poles form the largest single group at 3,148, followed by significant contingents from the due to the town's border proximity, which facilitates cross-border commuting and residency. Turkish, Syrian, and Romanian nationals also contribute notably, mirroring broader patterns in where labor migration from and asylum inflows from conflict zones have driven growth. Migration patterns in Kleve show a marked increase in foreign population over the past two decades, with the share rising from about 9% in 2002 to 18% by 2012 in the urban core area, and continuing upward amid EU enlargement and post-2015 refugee arrivals. In the encompassing Kreis Kleve district, foreign nationals grew from 63,810 to 67,510 between December 2023 and 2024, a 5.8% annual rise outpacing the state average, driven by economic opportunities in logistics and manufacturing near the Dutch border rather than overt welfare incentives. Dutch residents, once the dominant foreign group, have been surpassed by others like Syrians, indicating shifting sources from traditional Western European neighbors to Eastern and Middle Eastern origins. Local integration reports highlight stable employment among migrants, with Poles and Dutch often in skilled trades, though non-EU groups face higher reliance on social services, underscoring causal links between skill levels and assimilation outcomes.

Religious Demographics and Shifts

According to the 2022 German census, 51.8% of Kleve's residents identified as Roman Catholic, 12.4% as Protestant (primarily affiliated with the Evangelical Church in the ), and the remaining 35.8% as unaffiliated, adhering to other religions, or belonging to non-Christian faiths such as . This distribution reflects self-reported affiliations among the city's approximately 52,200 inhabitants, with Catholics forming the largest group in line with the town's location in the historically Catholic . Historically, Kleve's religious landscape was shaped by its role as the seat of the , where the ruling house maintained Catholic dominance into the despite Reformation influences in neighboring areas; the 1614 Formula Concordiae briefly aligned the duchy with under Dutch influence, but Catholic restoration followed under Bavarian rule after 1647. By the , church records indicate Catholics comprised over 90% of the population, with Protestants a small minority, a pattern persisting through the and Nazi eras amid limited confessional tensions compared to more polarized German regions. Post-World War II reconstruction saw modest Protestant growth from displaced persons, but the core Catholic majority endured, supported by diocesan structures under the Bishopric of . Recent shifts mirror broader German secularization trends, with church membership declining due to formal exits (Kirchenaustritte), aging demographics, and low fertility rates among affiliates; in the encompassing Kreis Kleve district (population ~322,000 as of 2024), Catholic membership fell from 183,291 in 2020 to 167,861 by 2024, a net loss of over 8% driven by 1,975 exits in 2024 alone, though exit numbers decreased from pandemic-era peaks. Protestant numbers in the local Kirchenkreis Kleve similarly dropped to 40,944 by late 2024, reflecting annual attrition exceeding baptisms and conversions. Immigration, particularly from Turkey and the Middle East since the 1960s guest worker programs and accelerated post-2015, has introduced a growing Muslim minority—estimated at several thousand in Kleve proper, constituting part of the "other religions" census category—amid overall population stability. These changes underscore causal factors like economic pressures prompting church tax avoidance and cultural detachment from institutional religion, rather than doctrinal shifts.

Economy

Kleve's industrial base is characterized by a diverse array of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in , alongside significant retail and service sectors bolstered by its proximity to the Dutch border. Key activities include the production of circuit boards, , spectral analysis equipment, and industrial ovens, with notable firms in such as the world's largest coffee roaster manufacturer and brands like Diebels , Bofrost frozen foods, Kühne condiments, and Katjes . The agricultural and sector remains prominent, employing over 12% of the workforce in the surrounding district and featuring Germany's largest horticultural auction facility operated by Landgard eG. Retail trade has grown substantially since the introduction of the in 2002, driven by cross-border shopping from the , with annual retail sales reaching 504.97 million euros in 2023. Employment in Kleve totaled 23,029 persons subject to contributions as of January 2024, supported by 1,569 businesses operating in the city. The local economy benefits from net in-commuting, with 13,596 workers entering the city and 8,956 leaving for employment elsewhere. Unemployment stood at 6.2% in 2024, reflecting regional pressures amid broader economic challenges in . Recent trends indicate a slight rise in , with the Kreis Kleve average increasing by 12.7% to 10,555 registered unemployed in 2024 compared to 2023, attributed to tighter labor market conditions and sectoral adjustments. Despite this, the region's over 100,000 total employees underscore resilience in and , with ongoing structural shifts toward in areas like drones and digital solutions. Growth in and has offset declines in traditional industries, maintaining a broad economic foundation.

Education Sector and Innovation Hubs

The education sector in Kleve is anchored by the , which maintains its primary campus in the city. Established in 2009, the institution specializes in applied sciences and offers 25 bachelor's and 11 programs across faculties including and , life sciences, society and economics, and communication and creative arts, with approximately 75% of programs taught in English to attract an body. The Kleve campus, located at Marie-Curie-Straße 1, serves around half of the 's total enrollment of 7,300 students from over 120 nationalities, emphasizing practical, interdisciplinary training through labs, industry partnerships, and internships. At the pre-university level, initiatives like the zdi Centre Kleve cleverMINT, operational since November 2012 and coordinated by Rhine-Waal University, foster STEM competencies (science, , engineering, mathematics) among pupils from through . This network, part of Europe's largest zdi alliance with over 2,600 partners in commerce, research, and education, delivers hands-on workshops, extracurricular projects such as at the RobertaZentrum and energy labs on the Kleve campus, and events like Kids’ Uni to cultivate regional talent pipelines. Innovation hubs in Kleve revolve around the university's Centre for , and Transfer (ZFIT), which bridges academia, industry, and policy by advising on grants, doctoral scholarships, contract , registration, and startup incubation. ZFIT facilitates through interdisciplinary projects, industry collaborations for student theses, and public engagement via ring lectures, positioning Kleve as a for applied in fields like sustainable technologies and sciences. These efforts leverage the university's proximity to the Dutch border and regional networks to drive economic , though Kleve lacks standalone large-scale tech incubators compared to nearby urban centers like .

Government and Politics

Local Administrative Structure

Kleve's municipal government operates under the Gemeindeordnung für das Land Nordrhein-Westfalen (GO NRW), which establishes a dual executive-legislative framework typical of German municipalities. The executive is headed by the Bürgermeister (mayor), directly elected by popular vote for a five-year term, serving as the responsible for implementing decisions, managing daily operations, representing the externally, and appointing department heads. The position combines political leadership with administrative oversight, with the mayor chairing meetings and exercising power subject to override. As of October 2025, Markus Dahmen, an independent candidate, was elected mayor in a September 28, 2025, runoff with 56.11% of the vote, succeeding Wolfgang Gebing (CDU) upon assuming office in early November 2025. The legislative branch consists of the Rat der Stadt (city council), a 53-member body elected every five years via across 22 electoral districts, where voters cast a single vote for party lists. The council holds plenary sessions to pass ordinances, approve annual budgets, set tax rates, and form committees for specialized oversight, such as finance or ; it cannot directly manage administration but can question officials and initiate referendums. Elections coincide with those for the , with the latest on September 14, 2025. The administrative apparatus supports these bodies through a hierarchical structure of 11 Fachbereiche (specialized divisions), employing over 600 full-time equivalents, coordinated from city hall at Minoritenplatz 1. Key units include Fachbereich 10 (Zentrale Verwaltung, handling , citizen services, elections, and archives with 29 staff), Fachbereich 50 (Arbeit und Soziales, divided into four sub-departments for social welfare and labor), and others covering , public safety, , and environment. The oversees Stabstellen (staff offices) for legal affairs, , and data protection, alongside Dezernate (executive departments) and Abteilungen (sections) for operational execution. Semi-autonomous entities, such as Umweltbetriebe Kleve (municipal environmental and waste services) and Gebäudemanagement Kleve, manage specific utilities under council supervision.

Electoral Outcomes and Political Influences

In the municipal elections held on September 14, 2025, the council of the city of Kleve (Rat der Stadt Kleve) was expanded from 44 to 60 seats to reflect population growth and administrative needs. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) maintained its position as the largest party in prior cycles, holding 21 of 54 seats following the 2020 elections, ahead of Bündnis 90/Die Grünen with 11 seats and the Social Democratic Party (SPD) with 10. in the 2025 first round stood at approximately 53% across the Kreis Kleve, slightly up from 51.5% in 2020, indicating stable but modest civic engagement. The mayoral election in 2025 marked a shift, with independent candidate Markus Dahmen, backed by a coalition of Die Grünen, SPD, Offene Klever (OK), and FDP, defeating incumbent CDU-affiliated Wolfgang Gebing in the September 28 runoff by 52.4% to 47.6%, with turnout at 32%. This outcome highlighted dissatisfaction with established parties, as parteilose (non-partisan) gained traction amid calls for local focus over national ideologies. Gebing's campaign received unsolicited endorsement from the (AfD), which polled strongly in peripheral districts—up to 24% in some urban fringes—but alienated moderate voters. Politically, Kleve's outcomes mirror the Lower Rhine's conservative leanings, where the CDU has dominated local and district levels, securing the direct mandate in the federal Wahlkreis Kleve during the February 2025 Bundestag election with over 40% of first votes. AfD gains, reaching 16% regionally in federal polls and higher locally, reflect concerns over migration and economic pressures in rural-border areas, though without translating to majorities. Influences include the district's agricultural base and cross-border ties with the , fostering pragmatic policies on trade and infrastructure, but national trends like AfD's have increasingly fragmented the traditional CDU-SPD duopoly in the Kreistag. Independents' rise underscores a preference for localized over partisan alignment.

Culture and Society

Language, Dialects, and Linguistic Heritage

The predominant language in Kleve is , reflecting its status within . The local vernacular, however, belongs to the branch of , specifically the Kleverlandish dialect group (German: Kleverländisch), which exhibits characteristics transitional between Dutch and German varieties. This dialect is spoken in the , extending across the Dutch-German border along the and rivers, where it forms part of a historical disrupted by modern national standardization. Kleverlandish features phonological and morphological traits typical of , such as diminutive formations involving suffixes like -ke or -je, and retention of unshifted consonants distinguishing it from (e.g., /p/, /t/, /k/ in place of High German /pf/, /ts/, /x/). In , it is often classified as a regional German , though its with eastern Dutch dialects like underscores the continuum's Low Franconian roots rather than a sharp linguistic divide. Usage has declined since the due to in and media influence, but it persists in informal settings and cultural preservation efforts. The linguistic heritage of Kleve traces to medieval vernaculars in the (established 1417), where Old East forms predominated along the , predating the and linking to early Dutch precursors. Administrative and elite communication in the duchy likely incorporated Latin and emerging influences from the , but the substrate remained , fostering cross-border affinities evident in place names and . By the , following Prussian in 1815, speakers numbered in the thousands with Dutch as a primary tongue for some, though German standardization accelerated post-unification. This heritage highlights Kleve's position in a pre-national linguistic zone, where dialects resisted rigid categorization until 20th-century borders imposed sociolinguistic divergence.

Historical Landmarks and Architectural Heritage

The Schwanenburg Castle stands as Kleve's most prominent historical landmark, originally constructed as a motte-and-bailey fortress on a steep hill overlooking the town. First documented in 1020, it served as the primary residence for the Counts of Cleves from the 11th century and later for the Dukes of Cleves after their elevation in 1417. The castle's strategic location facilitated control over regional trade routes and borders, evolving from a defensive structure into a ducal seat that symbolized the House of Cleves' power until the duchy united with Julich in 1521. Architecturally, the Schwanenburg retains two medieval towers from its early phases, with the Swan Tower featuring a weathervane depicting the swan emblem of the Cleves dynasty, tied to the 12th-century of , the Swan Knight. Subsequent modifications in the added residential wings, though much of the complex was altered or damaged over time, including during bombings that affected surrounding structures. Today, the castle functions as a local , preserving its role in civic administration while offering public access to select areas. Kleve's architectural heritage extends to its medieval urban layout, which coalesced around the from four original settlements—Kermt, the Schwanenburg, Neu-Kleve, and the Klevische Hof—by the , featuring remnants of defensive walls and gates that underscore the town's fortified past. Half-timbered houses and Gothic elements in structures like the former ducal stables (Marstall) reflect the town's prosperity under ducal rule, though many were rebuilt post-war to maintain historical facades. Earlier archaeological layers include the Roman fort at Kleve-Keeken, a 1st-century AD auxiliary camp on the Rhine's Batavi Island, with excavated stone foundations and earthworks evidencing military architecture from the Roman era, though not integrated into the medieval town center. These sites collectively illustrate Kleve's layered heritage from Roman occupation through medieval .

Natural and Recreational Sites

Kleve's landscape is characterized by the Klever Gartenlandschaft, a network of parks and gardens developed around 1660 under Johan Maurits van Nassau-Siegen, including the Forstgarten with its forested avenues, the Neuer Tiergarten wildlife enclosure, and the Prinz-Moritz-Park featuring ponds and vistas designed for leisurely walks and scenic views. These historical green spaces, preserved as recreational areas, span avenues and meadows surrounding the town, supporting activities like strolling and amid mature trees and water features. Adjoining Kleve to the south lies the Reichswald, a contiguous mixed forest covering about 5,100 hectares, recognized as the largest wooded area in the and utilized for extensive and cycling trails. Popular routes, such as the 15.6 km Durch den Klever Reichswald path with 290 meters of elevation gain, traverse diverse terrain suitable for moderate outings, while the forest's proximity to the Niers River enhances for viewing. Other sites include the Düffel on Kleve's outskirts, offering accessible paths for families to observe local ecosystems, and the Tiergarten Kleve, a 4-hectare zoological park established in housing over 300 animals in semi-natural enclosures focused on conservation, combining educational with parkland integration.

International Relations and Twin Towns

Kleve engages in international partnerships primarily through formalized agreements, which promote cultural exchange, youth programs, and economic collaboration. These relationships are managed by the city's Gesellschaft für internationale Begegnungen e.V., which organizes visits, joint events, and informational exchanges. The partnerships reflect Kleve's border location, emphasizing ties with countries alongside global development and historical connections. The city's twin towns are Ameland (Netherlands), Ronse (Belgium), Worcester (United Kingdom), Fitchburg (Massachusetts, United States), and Dogbo (Benin). The agreement with Worcester dates to 1987, facilitating regular delegations and community events such as art exchanges symbolizing the swan emblem of Kleve. Fitchburg's sister city status began in 1992, evolving to include academic ties between Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences and Fitchburg State University, with student exchanges and joint research initiatives renewed as recently as 2023.
Twin TownCountryEstablishedKey Activities
AmelandPre-2014 (formalized covenant in 2014)Cross-border cultural portal (k-r-a.eu), promotion
RonseUndated in sourcesShared digital platform for municipal cooperation, political visits
Worcester1987Community twinning association events, symbolic gifts like swan statues
Fitchburg1992University partnerships, delegations, photo documentation of exchanges
DogboConcurrent with early 1990s partnershipsMunicipal , support via European funding frameworks
Cross-border relations with the extend beyond to regional Euregio initiatives, enhancing labor mobility and environmental projects along the due to Kleve's proximity to Dutch communities like . These ties leverage the town's position less than 5 km from the , supporting daily and joint .

Notable Residents

Historical Figures

Kleve served as the seat of the Counts of Cleves from the , with Dietrich II (c. 1050–1120) noted as a key early ruler who expanded the county's influence along the . The county transitioned to the in 1368 and was elevated to a in 1417 under Adolph of La Marck. John III (1490–1539), Duke of Cleves, , and Berg, resided in Kleve and significantly enlarged the duchy through marriages and acquisitions, including and Berg in 1521, fostering Protestant sympathies in the region. His daughter, (1515–1557), grew up in the Cleves court and became the fourth wife of of in 1540, though the marriage was annulled after six months; she retained estates and influence as the "King's Sister." Joos van Cleve (c. 1485–1540), a prominent Netherlandish painter born in Kleve, trained locally before moving to , where he produced religious altarpieces, portraits of European royalty, and works blending Flemish and styles, such as The Holy Family.

Modern Contributors

(1921–1986), a pioneering German sculptor, performance artist, and theorist, formed key aspects of his oeuvre during his upbringing and post-war residence in Kleve, where he studied at the Stein Gymnasium and collaborated with regional artists such as Hanns Lamers and Walter Brüx. Beuys advanced concepts like "social sculpture," envisioning art as a participatory process to foster human creativity and ecological awareness, evidenced in over 500 actions and objects produced from the 1960s onward, including the project (1982) that planted 7,000 trees in as a model for . His influence extended to educational reforms at the Düsseldorf Art Academy, where he taught from to , admitting 500 students via open forums and emphasizing shamanistic and therapeutic dimensions of aesthetics, though critics noted his reliance on mythic personal narratives, such as the unverified Tartar rescue tale from 1944. Contemporary Gerd Borkelmann, based in Kleve since the early , has contributed to through large-scale canvases exploring color dynamics and spatial , with exhibitions at Devening Projects in since 2007 and participation in regional Lower shows emphasizing material experimentation over narrative. His practice, rooted in empirical and gestural techniques, aligns with post-minimalist traditions but remains localized, with fewer than 20 solo shows documented by 2024. In sciences, Johann Bernhard Aloys von Guden (1824–1886), born in Kleve, pioneered psychiatric as director of Munich's Upper Bavarian State from 1867, conducting over 1,000 autopsies that correlated brain lesions with behavioral disorders, influencing Kraepelin's classifications; however, his role in the 1886 assassination of King Ludwig II raises questions of diagnostic overreach amid royal-political pressures. While pre-20th century, his empirical methods prefigured modern , with 150+ publications by 1886.

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