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Neuss (German pronunciation: [nɔʏs] ⓘ; written Neuß until 1968; Limburgish: Nüss [ˈnʏs]; Latin: Novaesium) is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is on the west bank of the Rhine opposite Düsseldorf. Neuss is the largest city within the Rhein-Kreis Neuss district. It is primarily known for its historic Roman sites, as well as the annual Neusser Bürger-Schützenfest. Neuss and Trier share the title of "Germany's oldest city", and in 1984 Neuss celebrated the 2000th anniversary of its founding in 16 BCE.

Key Information

History

[edit]
Rheinbahn tram in downtown Neuss.
Saint Sebastian church in the city of Neuss

Roman period

[edit]
Main article: Novaesium

Neuss was founded by the Romans in 16 BC as a military fortification (castrum) with the current city to the north of the castrum, at the confluence of the rivers Rhine and Erft, with the name of Novaesium.[3] Legio XVI Gallica ("Gallic 16th Legion") of the Roman army was stationed here in 43–70 AD. It was disbanded after surrendering during the Batavian rebellion (AD 70).[4]

Later a civil settlement was founded in the area of today's centre of the town during the 1st century AD. Novaesium, together with Trier (Augusta Treverorum), is one of the three oldest Roman settlements in Germany.[citation needed]

Middle Ages

[edit]

Neuss grew during the Middle Ages because of its prime location on several routes, by the crossing of the great Rhine valley, and with its harbour and ferry. During the 10th century, the remains of the martyr and tribune Saint Quirinus, not to be confused with the Roman god Quirinus, had been relocated to Neuss. This resulted in pilgrimage to the shrine of St. Quirinus even from countries beyond the borders of the Holy Roman Empire. Neuss was first documented as a town in 1138.[citation needed]

One of the main events in the town's history is the siege of the town in 1474–75 by Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, that lasted for nearly a year. The citizens of Neuss withstood the siege and were therefore rewarded by the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick III. The town was granted the right to mint its own coins and to carry the imperial coat of arms, the imperial eagle and the crown, in the town's own coat of arms. Neuss became a member of the Hanseatic League, although it was never accepted by the other members of the League.[citation needed]

Early modernity

[edit]

In 1586, more than two-thirds of the city was destroyed by fire, and several wars during the reign of King Louis XIV of France resulted in worsening finances for Neuss. Its importance as a place for trading declined rapidly, and from the mid-17th century onwards, Neuss became a place only important for its agriculture.

Until the late 18th century, Neuss belonged to the Electorate of Cologne. From 1794 to 1814, Neuss was part of France during the reign of Napoleon. In 1815 after the Napoleonic Wars, Neuss became part of the Kingdom of Prussia, and was reorganized as a district with the municipalities of Neuss, Dormagen, Nettesheim, Nievenheim, Rommerskirchen and Zons. The town had a population of 6,333 at that time. It was part of the Prussian Province of Jülich-Cleves-Berg (1815–22) and its successor, the Rhine Province (1822–1946).

19th century – present

[edit]

Neuss regained its economic power in the 19th century, with expansion of the harbour in 1835, and increasing industrial activity. The city's boundaries were expanded in 1881. Neuss became part of the new state of North Rhine-Westphalia in 1946.

In 1968 the spelling of the name was changed from Neuß to Neuss. In 1975 the town of Neuss and the district of Grevenbroich were joined to form the district of Rhein-Kreis Neuss with a population of 440,000 and its seat of government in Neuss. Neuss is also home to Toshiba's European headquarters.

Largest groups of foreign residents[5]
Nationality Population (2018)
Turkey 5,440
Poland 1,775
Greece 1,627
Portugal 1,132
Italy 1,088
Serbia 1,072
Syria 982
Croatia 829

Jewish history

[edit]
See also: History of the Jews in Germany and History of the Jews in Cologne

A Jewish community has been documented in the city since the High Middle Ages. The earliest documentation of Jews in the city is from 1096, when Jews from Cologne fleeing from Crusaders were sheltered in the city by the Archbishop of Cologne Hermann III [de].[6][7] Nevertheless, about 200 of them (men, women, and children) were slaughtered by Crusaders. This all was in the context of what is known as the Rhineland massacres.

There is however no indication that Neuss already had an organized Jewish community in 1096; It is however certain that there was one in the Staufer period from the late 12th century onwards, in the context of a general influx of merchants into the city at the time.[6]

According to Ephraim of Bonn, on 11 January 1197, multiple members of the Jewish community were put to death as revenge for the killing of a Christian girl by a mentally ill Jew. The killer and several of his close relatives were gruesomely executed. They seem to have been allowed a Jewish funeral: their bodies were brought – presumably by boat – to Xanten, where they were buried alongside victims of the Rhineland massacres of 1096.[6]

The community in the High Middle Ages at first resided in the area where merchants lived, between the haven [de] and the market. The passage to the haven's loading place was known as the Judensteg. By the year 1300 however the Judensteg was now inhabited by Christians, the Jews having moved to the area around the Glockhammer, where their synagogue and school were also located. The area was not exactly a ghetto, as it was not sealed, and Christians also lived there.

From the 14th century onwards the Jews faced increasing economic competition, firstly due the loss of their advantageous former location near the docks, and later because of the loss of their monopoly in money lending, with the arrival of bankers from Lombardy and Cahors.[6]

The city was hit by the Black Death in 1348–49, and the community suffered from gruesome persecutions during that time, as was the case elsewhere in Europe. In the wake of the plague, the community was numerically decimated and economically weakened. A wave of religious extremism and intolerance swept the area at the time, and the Jews were increasingly pressured and became objects of political infighting: In the year 1424, Jews were for a time expelled from the city; this was meant as a middle finger to the Landesherr, who had placed the Jews under his protection.[6]

The Jews later came back, but were ultimately expelled again in 1464. The Archbishop of Cologne Ruprecht von der Pfalz visited the city on 5 May and met with mayors, aldermen, and the council in an attempt to halt the expulsion, but to no avail. Jews were from now on banned from residing in the city, and from staying overnight within city walls.[8] In 1694, Jews were given permission to hold a cattle market in front of the Obertor.[8] Facing overdue lump sum payments, in 1704 the city instored a special tax on Jews entering the city known as the Judenleibzoll.[6]

The former Synagogue of Neuss [de], torched down during the Kristallnacht on 10 November 1938.

In 1794 during the War of the First Coalition, Neuss fell under French control, and all discriminatory anti-Jewish laws were subsequently abrogated. It was only in 1808 however, in a context of nascent industrialization and population growth, that for the first time in centuries a Jewish family moved to the city: That of the butcher Josef Großmann, who had come from Hülchrath. The community slowly rose in number: in 1830, there were around 100 Jews out of a population of approximately 8000. The community kept on growing in size throughout the century.

Jews who moved to Neuss came from surrounding rural areas in the Rhineland, and as a result were more conservative and shaped by rural life than their counterparts in other German cities. Popular innovations in the time of the Haskalah such as religious services in German did not take root here: they continued in Hebrew. As a general rule of thumb, Neuss Jews were more religious than in other German cities.[6]

Relations between Jews and Christians were generally good at the time: they lived one next to another, and one could find Christians performing forbidden tasks such as lighting/extinguishing fires in Jewish homes on Shabbat.

A fracture in this peace took place in 1834 however: In the Niederrhein area blood libel rumors spread around, leading to a wave of anti-Jewish violence: Synagogues were set on fire in Gindorf and Bedburdyck [de]; in Hemmerden [de], Wevelinghoven and elsewhere fierce fighting took place between vigilantes and hussars. Neuss was not left unaffected either, with crowds strolling down the streets chanting anti-Jewish songs, with the epicenter being the poor areas of Neuss around the Viehmarkt. This situation lasted for days, until a contingent of soldiers was moved into the city to quell the unrest.[6]

On 29 March 1867, the synagogue [de] was unveiled, designed by the Prussian architect Friedrich Weise and built in the popular Orientalist style. The city held celebrations for 3 days upon its inauguration. Despite serving only about 1% of the population, the Synagogue was a proud hallmark of the Neuss skyline.[7] The synagogue community's size peaked at 316 members in 1890.

After the acquittal of the Jewish butcher Adolf Buschoff in the 1892 Xanten blood libel case [de; fr], antisemitic violence took place in nearby Neuss: Jewish-owned property was set on fire, and Jewish families were sent threatening messages. About a quarter of the community left the city.

In 1933, there were no more than 227 citizens of Jewish faith in Neuss. From that year onwards they suffered increasing persecution by the Nazis. Few went into exile on time. Then began the so-called "Final Solution to the Jewish Question" and the deportations. On 22 July 1942, the last inhabitant of the Judenhaus [de] at Küpperstaße 2 was put on a train from Aachen to Theresienstadt. On 23 November 1942, Neuss was cynically declared Judenrein. (= clean of Jews)

However, there was still a handful of Jews who survived through hiding, or who were not targeted due to being married to "Aryans".[9]

The exact number of Jewish victims of the Nazi regime is not known with certainty. However, one can find the names of 204 murdered Jews who had some sort of link to Neuss on a monument by Ulrich Rückriem. A significant amount of Stolpersteine can be found around the city.[10]

Since the 1990s the community has enjoyed a revival thanks to an influx of Jews from the ex-USSR. In 2021, it was estimated that around 550 Jews lived in Neuss.[9]

Politics

[edit]

Mayor

[edit]

The current mayor of Neuss is Reiner Breuer of the Social Democratic Party (SPD). The most recent mayoral election was held on 13 September 2020, and the results were as follows:

Candidate Party Votes %
Reiner Breuer Social Democratic Party 30,337 52.9
Jan-Philipp Büchler Christian Democratic Union 18,800 32.8
Michael Klinkicht Alliance 90/The Greens 4,049 7.1
Roland Sperling Die Linke 1,346 2.4
Michael Fielenbach Free Democratic Party 1,181 2.1
Thomas Lang UWG/Free Voters Neuss 1,158 2.0
Hans Dietz Centre Party 463 0.8
Valid votes 57,334 98.9
Invalid votes 617 1.1
Total 57,951 100.0
Electorate/voter turnout 120,328 48.2
Source: City of Neuss Archived 6 April 2022 at the Wayback Machine

Mayors and Lord Mayors since 1849

[edit]
  • 1849–1851: Heinrich Thywissen, Mayor (Bürgermeister)
  • 1851–1858: Michael Frings, mayor
  • 1858–1882: Johann Joseph Ridder, mayor
  • 1882–1889: Carl Wenders, mayor
  • 1890–1902: Engelbert Tilmann, mayor
  • 1902–1921: Franz Gielen, Lord Mayor
  • 1921–1930: Heinrich Hüpper, Lord Mayor
  • 1930–1934: Wilhelm Henrichs, Centre Party, Lord Mayor (Oberbürgermeister)
  • 1934–1938: Wilhelm Eberhard Gelberg, NSDAP, Lord Mayor
  • 1938–1945: Wilhelm Tödtmann, NSDAP, Lord Mayor
  • 1945–1946: Josef Nagel, Lord Mayor
  • 1946: Josef Schmitz, Lord Mayor
  • 1946–1961: Alfons Frings, CDU, Lord Mayor
  • 1961–1967: Peter Wilhelm Kallen, Lord Mayor
  • 1967–1982: Herbert Karrenberg, CDU, Lord Mayor
  • 1982–1987: Hermann Wilhelm Thywissen, CDU, Lord Mayor
  • 1987–1998: Bertold Mathias Reinartz, CDU, mayor
  • 1998–2015: Herbert Napp, CDU, mayor
  • 2015–present: Reiner Breuer, SPD, mayor

City council

[edit]
Results of the 2020 city council election.

The Neuss city council governs the city alongside the Mayor. The most recent city council election was held on 13 September 2020, and the results were as follows:

Party Votes % +/- Seats +/-
Christian Democratic Union (CDU) 20,810 36.4 Decrease 3.4 21 Decrease 6
Social Democratic Party (SPD) 18,517 32.4 Increase 5.1 19 ±0
Alliance 90/The Greens (Grüne) 7,996 14.0 Increase 3.2 8 Increase 1
Alternative for Germany (AfD) 2,420 4.2 Decrease 0.0 2 Decrease 1
Free Democratic Party (FDP) 1,882 3.3 Decrease 4.9 2 Decrease 4
The Left (Die Linke) 1,601 2.8 Decrease 1.2 2 Decrease 1
UWG/Free Voters Neuss (UWG/FW) 1,106 1.9 Steady 0.0 1 ±0
Action Party for Animal Protection (hier!) 929 1.6 New 1 New
Active for Neuss (Aktiv) 863 1.5 New 1 New
Die PARTEI 823 1.4 New 1 New
Centre Party (Zentrum) 223 0.4 Decrease 0.2 0 ±0
Independent Volkmar Wolfram Ortlepp 18 0.0 New 0 New
Valid votes 57,188 98.8
Invalid votes 672 1.2
Total 57,860 100.0 58 Decrease 10
Electorate/voter turnout 120,328 48.1 Increase 2.6
Source: City of Neuss Archived 25 June 2021 at the Wayback Machine

Number of inhabitants

[edit]
  • 1798: 4,423
  • 1831: 7,888
  • 1861: 10,300
  • 1885: 20,074
  • 1900: 28,472
  • 1925: 44,958
  • 1945: 51,624
  • 1965: 111,104
  • 1987: 142,178
  • 2015: 159,672

Sports

[edit]

One sports club is Neusser Schlittschuh-Klub. Their sections are figure skating, ice stock sport and, as the only club in Germany, bandy. With the lack of a large ice surface, the variety rink bandy is practiced.[11] There are also two football clubs in the city of Neuss: VfR Neuss Football Club and DJK Novesia Neuss[citation needed] and an American Football Team: Neuss Legions American Football.[12]

Transport

[edit]

The city is served by Düsseldorf Airport, located 15 km (9 mi) north east of Neuss (17 minutes drive).

Points of interest

[edit]

Notable people

[edit]
Theodor Schwann 1857

Twin towns – sister cities

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

Neuss is twinned with:[14]

[edit]
  • Saint Quirinus Minster
    Saint Quirinus Minster
  • Obertor
    Obertor
  • St. Sebastian Church
    St. Sebastian Church
  • Christuskirche
    Christuskirche
  • Blutturm
    Blutturm

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Neuss

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia

Neuss is a in the German state of , situated on the left bank of the directly opposite . It serves as the largest municipality and administrative seat of the Rhein-Kreis Neuss district, with an estimated population of 154,317 in 2024. Established around 16 BC as the Roman legionary fortress of Novaesium by forces under Drusus, it ranks among the earliest and most enduring Roman military settlements in , predating many settlements north of the . In contemporary times, Neuss functions as a key node in the , leveraging its strategic Rhine port for inland shipping, rail connections, and industrial activities including machinery production, chemicals, and logistics. The city preserves significant Roman archaeological sites, such as remnants of the fortress and civilian , while hosting traditional events like the Neusser Bürger-Schützenfest, a major annual marksmen's festival reflecting its Hanseatic heritage.

Geography

Location and administrative divisions

Neuss lies on the left bank of the Rhine River in western , directly opposite in the state of . Its geographical coordinates are 51°12′N 6°42′E. The city is approximately 7 kilometers from , 39 kilometers from , and 64 kilometers from . Neuss belongs to the , Germany's largest urban area with over ten million inhabitants. Administratively, Neuss is the principal city of the Rhein-Kreis Neuss district, where it constitutes the largest municipality, and it operates as a Große kreisangehörige Stadt with enhanced autonomy in areas such as building permits and waste management while remaining integrated into the district framework. The municipality is divided into Stadtbezirke (city districts) for local governance, including areas such as Weckhoven and Grimlinghausen.

Physical geography and climate

Neuss occupies a position in the Lower Rhine Plain, featuring predominantly flat terrain with gentle undulations influenced by sedimentary deposits from the Rhine River and its historical meanders. The landscape includes expansive floodplains that extend along the riverbanks, facilitating alluvial soils suitable for agriculture but prone to periodic inundation. Elevations in the city center average 44 meters above sea level, with minimal variation across the urban area. The Erft River, originating in the region, converges with the at Neuss, enhancing local water dynamics and contributing to features in the vicinity. This has historically shaped the terrain through and deposition, though modern channelization and embankments have stabilized much of the . risks persist, particularly during extreme events, as evidenced by regional flooding in that affected tributary systems like the Erft. Neuss experiences a temperate (Köppen Cfb), marked by moderate seasonal variations and consistent . Average annual temperature hovers around 10°C, with monthly highs reaching 24°C in and lows near 1°C in . Precipitation totals approximately 750 mm per year, distributed fairly evenly but peaking in late autumn and winter, such as 92 mm in . These patterns result from westerly Atlantic influences, yielding conditions and occasional winter frosts without extreme cold snaps. Urban development has introduced localized modifications, including green corridors like the Rheinwiesen along the , which comprise over 40 hectares of meadows and serve as buffers against flooding while supporting . Engineering interventions, such as reinforced dikes, have reduced historical flood frequencies along the corridor.

History

Roman era

Novaesium, the Roman precursor to modern Neuss, was established as a fortress around 16 BCE by forces under Drusus, serving as one of the earliest military bases in the province along the to secure Roman control against Germanic tribes. Initially an auxiliary fort constructed circa 20–10 BCE, it evolved into a full camp housing up to 5,000 soldiers, integral to the defensive limes system monitoring river crossings and facilitating campaigns eastward. Archaeological excavations have uncovered multiple overlapping fortifications, including timber and stone phases from the CE, revealing a rectangular layout with walls, gates, and internal typical of Flavian-era designs. By 43 CE, Legio XVI Gallica was stationed at Novaesium, replacing which had departed for the invasion of , underscoring the site's strategic role in maintaining frontier stability amid ongoing tribal pressures. The fortress supported a adjacent canabae civilian settlement for veterans, merchants, and families, evidenced by pottery, tools, and structural remains indicating urban expansion and economic ties to the provincial capital at Colonia Agrippinensis (). Following administrative reforms under around 85 CE, Novaesium integrated firmly into , with the briefly reconstructing defenses after the Batavian Revolt in 70 CE. Military presence persisted through the 2nd and early 3rd centuries, but the site experienced decline amid empire-wide crises, including incursions and internal instability, leading to abandonment by the CE as Roman forces withdrew from exposed frontier positions. hoards and reduced layers from this period reflect economic contraction and hasty evacuations, with final occupation layers showing Frankish influences by the late 4th to early 5th centuries, marking the transition from Roman military dominance.

Medieval period

Following the collapse of Roman authority in the during the , the site of former Novaesium transitioned to dominance, with the establishing control over the by the period. The settlement, then known as Niusa under Frankish rule, persisted amid feudal reorganization, integrating into Carolingian administrative structures. The earliest documented reference to the locality appears as "Nussio" in a Carolingian-era dated 853, recording land grants and ties in the region. By the , Neuss evolved into a fortified trading hub exploiting its position for commerce in grain, wine, and textiles, fostering merchant guilds under loose feudal oversight from the . The town affiliated with Hanseatic networks from the mid-12th century, enabling cross-regional exchanges despite lacking full League membership, as evidenced by merchant participation in trade assemblies. Imperial privileges, including market rights and toll exemptions granted circa 1180, enhanced against local lords, evidenced by surviving charters delineating burgher self-administration. Ecclesiastical influence dominated feudal life, with the minster dedicated to St. Quirinus—housing relics transferred from —serving as a pilgrimage focal point under Cologne's archdiocesan authority. Construction of the current Romanesque commenced in 1209, expanding a 9th-century predecessor with a and completed by 1230, funded by imperial and episcopal donations to assert spiritual and economic centrality. Tensions arose from jurisdictional overlaps, as archbishops like (r. 1238–1261) sought to curb burgeoning civic independence through feudal levies and disputes over tolls, resolved via imperial arbitrations favoring Neuss's charters amid broader power struggles. These dynamics underscored causal interplay between trade prosperity, episcopal lordship, and imperial protections in sustaining Neuss's medieval trajectory.

Early modern period

In the mid-16th century, Neuss became embroiled in the religious conflicts of the through its support for Gebhard Truchsess von Waldburg, the Protestant-leaning , during the Cologne War (1583–1588). This conflict arose when Gebhard converted to and married Agnes von Mansfeld, defying Catholic expectations and sparking a succession dispute resolved in favor of Ernst of Bavaria. Neuss, aligning with Gebhard's faction, faced severe repercussions, culminating in a by Spanish forces under , beginning in July 1586. The 1586 siege lasted several weeks, with Parma's of approximately 10,000 troops employing heavy and blockades, leading to the city's capitulation on August 26 after intense bombardment and negotiations. Subsequent plundering and fires destroyed two-thirds of Neuss's buildings, marking a catastrophic blow that reversed any local Protestant gains and reinforced Catholic dominance under the . This event, intertwined with the broader and the Dutch Revolt, exemplified the causal interplay of religious schism and imperial politics in depopulating and impoverishing cities. During the (1618–1648), Neuss endured further occupation by Protestant Hessian troops under General Johann von Geyso, who used the city as a base for operations in the . This phase included provisioning demands on locals and exposure to foraging armies, contributing to demographic strain amid the war's widespread devastation, though specific Neuss parish records indicate no but sustained hardship through billeting and skirmishes like the nearby Battle of Wevelinghoven in June 1648. The war's end via the in 1648 left Neuss under continued ecclesiastical rule, with lingering effects on trade routes disrupted by prior conflicts. In the late 17th century, amid Louis XIV's expansionist campaigns, French forces initiated construction of a in Neuss starting in 1672, demolishing numerous houses to erect bastioned defenses aimed at securing crossings. This fortification effort, part of broader absolutist under French oversight, underscored Neuss's strategic vulnerability but also imposed economic burdens through requisitions and labor drafts. Economically, the city shifted from medieval trade prominence in wool, linen, and tolls toward , with intra-urban fields and guild-regulated crafts dominating by the mid-1600s, as evidenced by persistent manorial practices and limited recovery from war-induced depopulation.

Industrialization and 20th century

The arrival of the railway in the mid- spurred Neuss's industrialization, with the Aachen-Düsseldorfer Eisenbahn-Gesellschaft negotiating the station's location as early as 1846, enabling connections to broader Prussian networks that facilitated from the and goods distribution. By 1853, rail infrastructure supported emerging industries, including prominent oil mills noted as Germany's most significant in contemporary references. Concurrently, the harbor's expansion via the Erft Canal in the transformed Neuss into a key transshipment point for , supplying regional sectors in and while handling inbound raw materials and outbound products, marking a shift from agrarian to industrial . In the early , Neuss's economy integrated into the Rhineland's cluster, though specific local steel and chemical firms emerged amid regional growth rather than dominating output. During the Nazi era from 1933 to 1945, the city hosted forced labor operations, with approximately 10,000 foreign workers—primarily from occupied —deployed across around 60-80 camps to sustain wartime production in private firms, , and municipal tasks, reflecting broader German exploitation policies documented in local records. World War II inflicted severe damage on Neuss through Allied air raids, including targeted missions in against industrial and transport nodes, resulting in widespread destruction such as the obliteration of infrastructure like the local racecourse with deep craters scarring open areas. Postwar, as part of the British occupation zone, Neuss underwent processes aligned with Allied directives, purging Nazi officials from administration while benefiting from aid starting in 1948, which channeled U.S. funds—totaling about 1.4 billion dollars to overall—to rebuild ports, rails, and factories, enabling rapid economic recovery without the partition disruptions faced in eastern regions.

Post-World War II development and recent history

In the aftermath of , Neuss participated in West Germany's , with key landmarks like the Quirinusmünster reconstructed by 1949 and a new completed in 1954 amid widespread infrastructure rebuilding. The city's population expanded dramatically from 54,823 residents in 1946 to 100,000 by 1963—earning Großstadt status—and reached 150,000 by 1975, driven by industrial resurgence, job creation in and , and territorial incorporations such as Grefrath and Holzheim. This growth reflected causal factors like aid, currency reform, and the Rhine's role in facilitating raw material imports and exports for expanding sectors including and chemicals. German reunification in 1990 enhanced Neuss's position as a trade hub, with the unified internal market and integration boosting cargo throughput at the Neuss port through increased demand from eastern regions accessible via interconnected waterways. efforts, including planned development strategies initiated in 1976, modernized the city center and expanded the municipal area from 30 km² to 100 km², supporting service sector diversification and infrastructure upgrades like rail-port connections. The early 21st century brought challenges, notably the , which strained local businesses but saw resilient recovery aided by federal and state interventions; Commerzbank's Neuss branch, for example, disbursed 103 million euros in emergency loans by mid-2020 while maintaining profitability. filings remained subdued through 2022 due to ongoing support programs, averting deeper disruptions in trade and manufacturing. The Jewish community, nearly eradicated under Nazi persecution, experienced modest revival post-1945, with formal commemoration leading to a new synagogue's opening in 2021—the first permanent structure since the 1938 destruction.

Demographics

As of January 1, 2025, Neuss had a resident of 161,704. This figure reflects a slight decline of 329 from the end of 2023, following annual increases of 1,066 in 2023 and 1,777 in 2022. Historical data indicate modest growth from approximately 151,486 residents in 2012 to 154,139 in 2022, driven primarily by net positive migration amid the city's suburban position adjacent to , which attracts commuters seeking more .
YearPopulation (December 31)Annual Change
2012151,486-
2017153,810+2,324
2022154,139+1,408 (from 2016)
2023162,033+1,066
2024161,704-329
The population density stands at 1,625 inhabitants per square kilometer, based on the city's land area of approximately 99.5 km². Demographic trends show an aging profile, with an average age of 43.3 years as of 2022 and over 21% of residents aged 65 or older in that year; the proportion aged 75 and above reached 10.5% by early 2025. Regional projections from authorities anticipate a potential stabilization or slight decline to around 150,000 by 2050, contingent on sustained low birth rates and varying migration patterns.

Ethnic and religious composition

As of December 2023, foreign nationals comprise 19.0% of Neuss's population of 161,704, equating to 30,732 individuals, primarily from , , , and other EU states. The Turkish community, the largest non-German group, traces its origins to the West German guest worker recruitment program initiated via the 1961 bilateral agreement with , which facilitated the arrival of over 750,000 Turkish laborers nationwide by 1973 for industrial roles in regions including . In the encompassing Rhein-Kreis Neuss district, Turkish nationals total 12,320, Poles 5,955, and Syrians a smaller but growing contingent amid post-2015 asylum inflows. Persons with migration background—defined nationally as those or whose parents were born abroad without German citizenship—likely exceed 25% in Neuss, surpassing earlier district estimates and reflecting trends among second-generation migrants. Religiously, predominates, with Roman Catholics numbering approximately 57,593 (around 38% of the based on church records) and Protestants 23,309 (about 15%), figures drawn from denominational memberships that have declined amid since the mid-20th century. The unaffiliated or those adhering to other/none-specified affiliations account for roughly 72,173 individuals (47%), consistent with national patterns of rising . form a minority , estimated at 10-15% indirectly via migrant demographics, primarily Sunni from Turkish and Arab origins, with Alevi subgroups represented; maintain a small presence of about 200 members, supported by a historic rebuilt after destruction. These shifts parallel broader post-1960s diversification, with guest worker settlement introducing alongside residual Catholic-Protestant divides from the city's heritage.

Economy

Key industries and businesses

The Port of Neuss-Düsseldorf ranks among Europe's largest inland ports, facilitating extensive Rhine River logistics with direct access to major European transport networks and handling around 5.5 million tonnes of cargo annually as of recent data. This infrastructure supports bulk goods like agricultural products, metals, and ores, positioning logistics as a primary economic driver through efficient multimodal connections including rail and road. Manufacturing dominates local output, exemplified by Janssen-Cilag , a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary focused on pharmaceuticals with reported revenues exceeding $2.99 billion. Other prominent firms include Wilh. Werhahn KG in ceramics and building materials, generating approximately $4.87 billion in revenue, and MM Neuss, specializing in coated recycled liner for packaging. The automotive supply chain features companies like Yanfeng International Automotive Technology, producing vehicle interiors, and Pierburg GmbH (integrated into ), which develops emission control components. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) prevail in these manufacturing segments, leveraging proximity to the for imports and exports. Since the 1990s, services have expanded alongside traditional sectors, with initiatives fostering innovation in logistics-related tech and business services to enhance competitiveness.

Labor market and economic indicators

In September 2025, the unemployment rate in Rhein-Kreis Neuss, which encompasses the city of Neuss, stood at 6.3%, a decrease of 0.2 points from but an increase from the prior year, with 15,840 registered unemployed individuals. This rate aligns closely with the national registered average of around 6.0%, reflecting a labor market influenced by regional industrial cycles and proximity to employment centers like . Neuss functions as a significant commuter hub, with approximately 60% of its residents commuting daily to workplaces, predominantly in neighboring , where inflows from the district total over 39,000 workers annually. This outflow underscores structural labor flexibility, as local employment opportunities are supplemented by cross-border mobility within the Rhine-Ruhr region, contributing to lower effective despite registered figures. Disposable income per capita in Rhein-Kreis Neuss averaged approximately €26,768 in 2021, rising in select municipalities like to €37,197 by 2022, supported by high productivity in export-oriented sectors reliant on EU markets. The district's GDP per capita exceeds North Rhine-Westphalia's €47,916 average, bolstering resilience post-2008 through prior labor market deregulations like the Hartz reforms, which enhanced adaptability. However, elevated energy costs stemming from Germany's policies have pressured margins, though offset by industrial efficiency gains and diversified EU export dependencies.

Government and politics

Municipal administration

Neuss's municipal administration operates under the dualistic council-executive model prescribed by North Rhine-Westphalia's municipal code (Gemeindeordnung NRW), featuring an elected city council as the legislative authority and a -led executive for day-to-day . The city council (Stadtrat) determines policy, approves budgets, and elects administrative deputies, while the holds executive responsibility for implementation and representation. The executive is directed by the Verwaltungsvorstand, comprising the full-time and five Beigeordnete (deputies) elected by the for eight-year terms, each overseeing a specialized department (Dezernat) such as and , social affairs, education, environment, and . The chairs this board, resolves internal disputes, and substitutes via a defined among the Beigeordnete, ensuring coordinated administrative leadership across citizen services, , and public safety. Fiscal operations emphasize local revenue generation for , primarily from trade tax (Gewerbesteuer), which surpassed 200 million euros in 2023, alongside property taxes and state transfers, funding core services without district-level oversight for municipal tasks. The 2024 budget allocated 27.7 million euros for investments in and equipment, closing with a 50-million-euro improvement over initial projections due to robust tax inflows, reflecting solid amid national fiscal constraints. Debt management adheres to Germany's balanced-budget principle, with post-pandemic liabilities addressed through phased repayment, though specific city debt metrics remain integrated into broader reporting without public breakout for 2024. The city divides into eight Stadtbezirke, each featuring Bezirksausschüsse (district committees) and annual citizen assemblies for localized input on issues like neighborhood development and services, operating in an advisory capacity to inform council decisions without binding . This structure promotes decentralized participation while centralizing final to maintain efficiency and coherence in policy execution.

Mayoral history

The mayoral office in Neuss originated in the early under Prussian administration, where mayors were typically appointed rather than elected, reflecting the centralized authority of the era. Following the establishment of the , the position transitioned toward more democratic selection processes, though still often council-appointed, before the interruptions of the Nazi period and . Post-1945, under Allied occupation and subsequent democratic reconstruction, the office was reoriented toward local governance accountability, with the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) dominating appointments and elections from liberation until 2015. In the immediate post-war years, figures such as Josef Nagel, appointed by American forces in March 1945 as the city faced devastation, initiated stabilization efforts before brief transitions to Josef Schmitz in 1946. Subsequent mayors oversaw the Wirtschaftswunder-era expansion; Peter Wilhelm Kallen (1910–1979), an entrepreneur, held the office from 1961 to 1969, guiding and economic initiatives amid rapid . This period marked a shift from survival-focused administration to proactive development, with tenures often spanning over a decade for continuity. North Rhine-Westphalia's 1994 municipal reforms enabled direct public elections for Oberbürgermeister in larger cities like Neuss starting in 1999, enhancing democratic legitimacy and accountability. Herbert Napp (CDU), initially selected by council in 1998 as the first full-time post-war mayor, secured direct mandates in 1999, 2004, and 2009, serving until 2015 and presiding over sustained growth and administrative modernization. Reiner Breuer (SPD), elected in 2015 as the first Social Democratic mayor since the early post-war years, continued this trend with re-elections in 2020 and 2025, each in the first round, reflecting voter preference for experienced leadership amid contemporary challenges.
OberbürgermeisterPartyTenureNotes
Peter Wilhelm Kallen-1961–1969Oversaw economic boom and urban projects.
Herbert KarrenbergCDU1969–1982Long-term stability post-Kallen.
Hermann Wilhelm ThywissenCDU1982–1987Transitional administration.
Herbert NappCDU1998–2015First full-time; direct elections from 1999.
Reiner BreuerSPD2015–presentEnded CDU dominance; re-elected 2020, 2025.

City council and elections

The city council of Neuss, known as the Stadtrat, comprises 64 members elected for five-year terms through a system using closed party lists, with seats allocated according to vote shares via the , allowing smaller parties to secure representation if they surpass minimal thresholds or through remainder seats. The council handles local legislation on matters such as , budget approval, and public services, operating in conjunction with the directly elected who holds voting rights and chairs sessions. Elections occur concurrently with mayoral votes every five years, as in North Rhine-Westphalia's municipal framework. In the most recent election on September 14, 2025, voter turnout reached 52.3% among approximately 152,000 eligible voters, marking a slight increase from prior cycles and reflecting moderate civic engagement amid fragmented party competition. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) remained the largest party with 34.9% of valid votes (21,345 votes), securing 22 seats, followed by the Social Democratic Party (SPD) at 28.1% (17,220 votes) and 18 seats. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) gained significantly to 12.1% (7,403 votes) and 8 seats, while Bündnis 90/The Greens declined to 10.2% (6,226 votes) for 6 seats. Smaller parties including Die Linke (4.3%, 3 seats), FDP (3.3%, 2 seats), and various independents or niche lists (e.g., BSW, TIERSCHUTZ) each claimed 1 seat, resulting in no single party or bloc holding a majority and necessitating coalition negotiations for governance stability.
Party/ListVotesPercentageSeats
CDU21,34534.9%22
SPD17,22028.1%18
AfD7,40312.1%8
Grüne6,22610.2%6
Linke2,6164.3%3
FDP2,0223.3%2
Others (e.g., UWG, BSW, TIERSCHUTZ)~4,000 combined~6.5% combined5
The 2025 results indicate persistent center-right strength for the CDU, though with rising support for the AfD amid debates on and , contrasted by SPD and Greens' emphases on welfare expansion and environmental policies as outlined in their platforms. In the preceding 2020 election, turnout was lower at 48.1%, with the CDU leading at 36.4% (21 seats out of 58 total), SPD at 32.4% (19 seats), and Greens at 14.0% (8 seats), followed by minor gains for AfD (4.2%, 2 seats) and others. This pattern underscores empirical trends of CDU dominance and coalition reliance, often pairing with SPD for pragmatic center-left to center-right balances, avoiding ideological extremes despite multiparty fragmentation.

Culture and society

Festivals and traditions

The Neusser Bürger-Schützenfest, held annually on the last weekend of , is among Germany's largest marksmen's festivals, featuring a royal parade with approximately 7,000 participants, shooting competitions, and processions that draw around 1.5 million visitors. This event fosters community bonds through longstanding riflemen's associations, emphasizing discipline, marksmanship, and civic pride rooted in historical guild traditions. Carnival celebrations in Neuss, part of the Rhineland's broader tradition, culminate in parades with floats, costumes, and street festivities that engage local clubs and residents in pre-Lenten revelry. These gatherings reinforce social ties among participants, mirroring Catholic regional customs of inversion and communal feasting before fasting periods. The Hansefest, occurring on the third weekend of , recreates medieval Hanseatic atmospheres in the city center with market stalls, performances, and artisan displays, attracting crowds to celebrate Neuss's historical commerce links. Now in its 32nd edition as of 2021, it promotes local retail and historical reenactments, strengthening ties to the city's mercantile past. Fronleichnamsprozessionen, observed on Corpus Christi (the Thursday after ), include multiple processions through Neuss's streets, with the largest featuring a century-old tradition starting at 10 a.m. from central churches and carrying the in monstrances. These Catholic rituals, involving parishioners from families, youth groups, and clergy, publicly affirm eucharistic presence and communal faith, drawing significant local attendance.

Cultural institutions and media

The Rheinisches Landestheater Neuss (RLT), established as the largest touring theater ensemble in , stages a diverse of plays, operas, and musicals, serving Neuss and surrounding municipalities with approximately 300 performances annually across regional venues. The theater, which traces its roots to post-World War II cultural revival efforts, operates from a central Neuss base and collaborates with local ensembles for productions like Mozart's Die Zauberflöte in the 2024/25 season. Additional venues include the Theater am Schlachthof, hosting independent and experimental performances, though smaller-scale operations like the Off-Theater announced closure by late 2025 due to financial pressures. Neuss's public library system centers on the Stadtbibliothek Neuss, a municipal institution with over 110 years of operation, attracting around 260,000 visitors yearly and organizing more than 300 events including readings and workshops. Housed at Neumarkt 10, the central branch maintains collections of German newspapers, magazines, and , with free access for minors under 21 and nominal annual fees for adults. Branch libraries and specialized holdings support community literacy, though attendance data reflects modest per-capita usage compared to larger urban centers in the region. Local media in Neuss features regional outlets like the Rheinische Post, which provides daily coverage through its Neuss edition, supplemented by public broadcasters such as (WDR), the ARD affiliate for offering news, cultural programming, and regional inserts. This mix ensures pluralism, with public entities funded via mandatory household fees (approximately €18.36 monthly per device as of 2023) enabling ad-light content, while private press competes on immediacy despite declining print circulations nationwide. Events like the annual Shakespeare Festival, drawing international performers to Neuss venues, highlight theatrical media ties without dedicated film programming linked to the city's Roman Novaesium heritage. Municipal cultural budgets, drawn from local taxes and state allocations, prioritize institutions like the RLT but face efficiency scrutiny amid rising operational costs outpacing attendance growth.

Education and research

Neuss maintains a comprehensive education system aligned with the , encompassing primary schools (Grundschulen) starting at age six, followed by options including , Realschule, Gesamtschule, Sekundarschule, and Gymnasium, which prepare students for the university entrance qualification. Vocational schools (Berufsschulen) integrate with the dual apprenticeship system, emphasizing practical training alongside theoretical instruction. rates in , where Neuss is located, approach 100% among adults, reflecting the system's foundational effectiveness, though international assessments highlight persistent challenges. Secondary education in Neuss features prominent Gymnasiums such as St.-Ursula-Gymnasium and Humboldt-Gymnasium, which focus on academic rigor for higher education pathways. Approximately 40-50% of school leavers in Germany, including in industrial regions like Neuss, enter the dual vocational training system, where apprenticeships in fields like manufacturing and chemicals—key to the local economy—combine on-the-job experience with part-time schooling, yielding high employability rates often exceeding 90% upon completion. Private international options, such as the ISR International School on the Rhine, serve expatriate families with English-medium instruction from kindergarten through grade 12, preparing students for global universities. Higher education access relies on proximity to , about 10 km away, home to Heinrich Heine University with over 35,000 students across disciplines including natural sciences and medicine. Within Neuss, the CBS University of Applied Sciences operates a campus offering business and engineering programs, such as international , catering to around 1,000 students annually with a practical focus. This regional integration supports Neuss residents, though local enrollment in universities remains limited without a full-scale public institution in the city. Research activities center on specialized institutes, notably the Profil Institute for Metabolic Research, which conducts clinical trials on and , employing and metabolic modeling since its 1999 founding. The International Institute of Biophysics in Neuss explores and photon emissions in biological systems, contributing to interdisciplinary health studies. Clinical research at Rheinland Klinikum Neuss focuses on hematologic trials, leveraging the area's medical infrastructure. Despite strengths in vocational outcomes, 2022 results for —math at 475 points (below the average of 472), science at 492 (slightly above 485), and reading declining—indicate foundational skill gaps, with performing below national averages in some metrics, prompting critiques of overly progressive prioritizing equity over academic standards. These scores, post-2000 " shock" reforms, suggest causal links to delayed tracking and reduced emphasis on basics, contrasting with the dual system's success in applied skills but underscoring needs for rigor.

Infrastructure and transport

Transportation networks

Neuss benefits from trimodal connectivity as a logistics hub, integrating rail, , and inland via facilities like the Neuss Trimodal terminal, which facilitates efficient cargo handling along the . The Port of Neuss supports substantial freight movement, with terminals such as UCT equipped for container transshipment directly linked to water, , and rail . Rail services operate from Neuss Hauptbahnhof, a major station on lines connecting to and , with frequent regional and trains reaching Hbf in as little as 26 minutes. High-speed options, including those on the airport line, extend to and , enabling rapid regional access. Road networks include the A57 motorway, running parallel to the through Neuss toward , and the A46, intersecting at key junctions like Dreieck Neuss-Süd for broader connectivity. Düsseldorf Airport, approximately 12 kilometers from central Neuss, provides air access via direct rail links taking around 25 minutes. Local public transit, integrated into the Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr (VRR), includes bus and rail services operated by entities like Rheinbahn, with ridership showing post-pandemic recovery trends aligned with Germany's broader adoption of initiatives like the . Cycling infrastructure supports urban mobility through dedicated paths integrated into the regional network.

Public services and utilities

Stadtwerke Neuss Energie und Wasser GmbH serves as the primary municipal utility provider, delivering , , , and to the city's approximately 150,000 residents. Water is sourced from regional treated at facilities such as the Rheinbogen waterworks in Neuss-Uedesheim, operational since 1954, ensuring compliance with strict standards through regular testing. Sewage treatment falls under municipal oversight, integrated with regional wastewater systems to maintain environmental standards, though specific reliability metrics like outage durations are not publicly detailed beyond general compliance with federal regulations. The energy portfolio reflects Germany's broader transition away from and nuclear dependencies toward and renewables, with Stadtwerke Neuss emphasizing CO2-free green generated from 100% regenerative sources. Local contributions include a plant near Neuss supplying power equivalent to 1,600 households and a 22 MW combined cycle gas turbine plant commissioned in 2025 for efficient combined heat and power generation. These utilities remain municipally owned, avoiding full while partnering regionally for efficiency, such as joint ventures with neighboring providers. Waste management in Neuss operates under the Rhein-Kreis Neuss framework, with residents producing about 450 kg of municipal waste annually as of 2023. rates for municipal waste align closely with national figures at approximately 68% in 2023, supported by efficient separation systems for plastics, paper, and organics, though specific quotas for certain waste streams hovered around 32% amid stagnation challenges. Healthcare services are provided through regional clinics, including the Lukaskrankenhaus Neuss, the largest facility in the Rhein-Kreis Neuss with specialized departments in , , and emergency care, serving a exceeding 200,000 people across the district. Complementary institutions like the Johanna Etienne Krankenhaus focus on gynecology, orthopedics, and , ensuring comprehensive coverage without reliance on privatized models but integrated into Germany's statutory health insurance system. Digital infrastructure features ongoing fiber-optic expansion, with Rhein-Kreis Neuss achieving 40.6% FTTH/FTTB coverage as of recent assessments, surpassing the state average and supported by federal Gigabit funding for 1,367 additional connections in Neuss by mid-2025. Municipal investments aim to close remaining gaps for near-universal high-speed access, though nationwide targets of 50% fiber coverage by end-2025 highlight persistent rollout hurdles like permitting delays.

Sports and recreation

Major sports clubs

The Turngemeinde Neuss von 1848 e.V. (TG Neuss) stands as one of the largest multi-sport clubs in the city, boasting over 5,000 members across more than 30 disciplines including , , , and . Founded in 1848, the club emphasizes broad participation and , with structured programs for all age groups that prioritize and recreational fitness. DJK Rheinkraft Neuss 1914 e.V. ranks among Neuss's most traditional associations, established on June 28, 1914, and offering football, tennis, and other activities to a substantial membership base. The club maintains a focus on competitive amateur play and local tournaments, contributing to the region's sports infrastructure through sustained operations over a century. In handball, the Neusser Handballverein e.V. (NHV), formed in 1992, fields teams in the Verbandsliga, where it achieved mid-table positioning by January 2025 after an initial challenging season. The club supports adult, youth, and inclusive programs, with training emphasizing technical skills and team development at facilities like the Nixhütter Weg venue. Football in Neuss remains predominantly amateur, with clubs like VfR 06 Neuss competing in regional tiers such as the Bezirksliga, utilizing the Jahnstadion for matches. These teams stress youth academies and grassroots development, aligning with broader German football structures that funnel talent to higher levels without professional status at the city level. Membership data from local associations indicate comparable male and female participation rates in non-elite sports, reflecting inclusive policies in club operations.

Facilities and events

The Jahnstadion, Neuss's principal multi-purpose , accommodates up to 10,100 spectators and hosts football matches, tournaments, and competitions. Opened in 1924, it features natural grass pitches, tennis courts, and indoor facilities, with recent 2025 renovations—including a refurbished hall, new changing rooms at the main field, a dedicated fitness area, and additional hard tennis courts—costing the city five million euros to enhance for regional events. The Eissporthalle im Südpark provides a dedicated ice venue with 3,312 seats, primarily for games and skating events, constructed in 1974 to support local leagues. District-level facilities, such as the Bezirkssportanlage Gnadental and Von-Waldthausen-Stadion, offer additional pitches for football and multi-sport training, with capacities ranging from 1,000 to 1,500, emphasizing public maintenance for amateur and youth competitions. These venues regularly stage regional championships, including Bundesliga fixtures for TC Blau-Weiß Neuss, Germany's record-holding champions, and hockey league matches drawing hundreds to low thousands in attendance depending on . Public ownership predominates, with municipal investments prioritizing accessibility over private efficiencies, though clubs manage day-to-day operations to host events like tournaments and fitness days. Post-pandemic recovery has seen steady attendance returns for these lower-tier events, mirroring broader German trends without exceeding pre-2020 averages of 500–2,000 per match in similar facilities.

Tourism and landmarks

Historical sites

Neuss preserves significant remnants of its Roman origins as the legionary fortress of Novaesium, established around 16 BC on the Rhine's west bank to secure the frontier. Major excavations in the late 19th century, led by Konstantin Coenen at sites like Gnadental, unearthed fortifications, barracks, and civilian settlement artifacts, including pottery, weapons, and building materials from the 1st to 4th centuries AD. These finds, spanning pre-Roman Iron Age tools to late antique items, are displayed in the basement of the Clemens-Sels-Museum, which underwent renovation in recent years to recontextualize the Roman collection for public access. The Quirinus Minster exemplifies medieval Romanesque architecture, with construction of its current form beginning in the 12th century atop earlier Carolingian foundations, incorporating relics of Saint Quirinus transferred to Neuss in 1050 as a pilgrimage focal point. Preservation efforts, including comprehensive restorations from the 1980s to 2000s and targeted work in 2024, have maintained its basilica status—conferred by the Pope in 2009—and structural integrity against Rhine Valley weathering. The minster's westwork and transept reflect Rhenish transitional styles, underscoring Neuss's role in regional ecclesiastical development. Medieval defensive structures persist in fragments of the 13th-century city walls, originally enclosing the growing settlement with towers and amid post-Roman expansion. The Obertor, a surviving upper gate from these fortifications, features brickwork and archways indicative of Gothic-era reinforcements, preserved as a testament to Neuss's Hanseatic-era defenses against regional conflicts. These remnants, integrated into modern urban fabric, receive maintenance through municipal archaeological oversight to prevent erosion and urban encroachment.

Museums and modern attractions

The Museum Insel Hombroich, integrated into the broader Kulturraum Hombroich cultural landscape, occupies a 21-hectare former river plain in Neuss, where modern pavilions designed by architects such as Erwin Heerich house collections of Asian antiquities, archaeological artifacts, and contemporary works by artists including Alexander Calder and Hans Arp. The site's design emphasizes a dialogue between art, architecture, and renaturalized terrain, with pathways linking eleven pavilions amid meadows, ponds, and outdoor sculptures that encourage unstructured exploration. Complementing this is the Raketenstation Hombroich, a converted War-era missile station repurposed since the as an experimental art venue, where Brutalist concrete bunkers and launch pads host temporary installations, , and site-specific interventions amid overgrown grounds. The Langen Foundation, situated nearby and also within the Hombroich complex, features a stark, light-infused concrete structure by Japanese architect , displaying 20th-century Japanese ceramics, Zen garden artifacts, and European in a minimalist environment that prioritizes spatial serenity over didactic displays. The Clemens-Sels-Museum maintains a multifaceted permanent collection encompassing European paintings from the 15th to 18th centuries, Roman-era archaeological relics from local excavations, and exhibits on Neuss's municipal history, housed in a Brutalist building completed in 1970. Among contemporary attractions, the Rheinpark-Center functions as Neuss's primary retail hub, encompassing 37,300 square meters with over 100 outlets ranging from international chains to specialty stores, alongside event spaces for seasonal markets and exhibitions. The Römerkanal Infozentrum in the Gnadental district serves as an interpretive facility for the nearby remnants of the (Römerkanal) that supplied ancient , offering free exhibits on its engineering—built around 80 AD with a length exceeding 95 kilometers—and integration with a highlighting regional craftsmanship.

Notable residents

Historical figures

Hildegund (c. 1170–1188), also known as of Schönau, was born in Neuss to a knightly family and is venerated as a saint in the Catholic tradition. After her mother's death, she disguised herself as a boy named Joseph to accompany her father on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem around 1186, later entering Schönau Abbey as a Cistercian monk, where she lived undetected until her death from natural causes; her female sex was discovered during burial preparations, leading to hagiographic accounts emphasizing her piety and asceticism. In the , Hermann Thyraeus (1532–1591), born in Neuss, emerged as a Jesuit theologian and demonologist whose works shaped early modern understandings of possession and . Ordained in 1563, he served as a court exorcist and authored treatises such as De daemoniacis (1588), which cataloged demonic phenomena based on observed cases, rejecting purely medical explanations in favor of supernatural causation while advocating humane treatment of afflicted individuals. Theodor Schwann (1810–1882), a physiologist born on 7 December 1810 in Neuss, advanced biology through empirical observation of cellular structures. As professor at the University of Louvain and later , he proposed in Mikroskopische Untersuchungen (1839) that animals, like observed by Matthias Schleiden, consist of cells as fundamental units, laying groundwork for ; his experiments refuted by demonstrating yeast's cellular nature in processes.

Contemporary personalities

Reiner Breuer, a member of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), has served as of Neuss since October 21, 2015, following his with an absolute majority of votes; he was re-elected in 2020 and again in 2025 under similar circumstances. In this role, Breuer has overseen urban development initiatives, including infrastructure projects and economic partnerships, such as the 2025 christening of the "Quirinus Express" rail service to enhance freight logistics connectivity. Frank Biela, born August 2, 1964, in Neuss, is a professional driver specializing in touring and events. He achieved three consecutive victories at the from 2000 to 2002 with , marking him as the first German driver to accomplish this feat. Biela continues to influence motorsport through Biela Racing, a team based in Neuss that he leads. Mari Vartmann, born December 25, 1988, in Neuss, is a competitive pair skater representing . She began skating in 1995 with Düsseldorfer EG and has partnered with skaters including Aaron van Cleave and Ruben Blommaert, competing in international events such as the ISU Grand Prix series; her career highlights include multiple German national medals and participation in European and Championships.

International relations

Twin towns and partnerships

Neuss maintains formal partnerships with six cities across , , and , primarily aimed at fostering cultural, educational, and administrative exchanges. These relationships emphasize mutual understanding through activities such as and programs, sports events, and professional cooperation on urban development and environmental topics. The partnerships are as follows:
CityCountryEstablishedKey Details
1972Focuses on generational cultural and personal exchanges, including regular delegations and events.
1990Involves cultural and civic exchanges, supported by local committees until recent dissolutions; historical ties strengthened during Croatia's independence struggles.
1990Originally promoted people-to-people contacts post-Cold War; suspended indefinitely since February 2022 amid Russia's invasion of .
Saint Paul1999Centers on educational exchanges, including annual student programs, and economic discussions; marked by reciprocal mayoral visits and jubilees.
2007Supported by EU-funded projects for administrative and cultural cooperation; includes delegations addressing .
2019Builds on prior friendship agreements, emphasizing educational and economic ties in Turkey's Black Sea region.
While these ties facilitate sporadic exchanges—such as school programs between Neuss and Saint Paul—empirical assessments of broader economic or trade impacts remain limited, with activities often confined to symbolic gestures and volunteer-driven initiatives rather than quantifiable gains.

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