Düsseldorf, a vibrant city on the Rhine, boasts a rich and layered history. A recent social media post from the official Stadt Düsseldorf account sparked a glimpse into the past, showcasing a photograph of the Hamm district as it appeared 78 years ago, in 1948. The image, featuring Auf der Böck street and the Hammer Eisenbahnbrücke (Hamm Railway Bridge) in the background, offers a poignant reminder of the city’s post-war landscape and has prompted reflection on its evolution.
The post, shared on February 19, 2026, as part of a #ThrowbackThursday series, quickly garnered attention, with over 208 likes and one comment. It serves as a visual touchstone, connecting contemporary Düsseldorf residents with the city’s recent past. The Stadtarchiv Düsseldorf (Düsseldorf City Archive) is credited with providing the historical photograph, highlighting the importance of archival institutions in preserving and sharing cultural heritage.
Hamm: A Historical Overview of a Düsseldorf Quarter
Hamm is an urban quarter within Düsseldorf, specifically part of Borough 3. Situated on the banks of the Rhine, it’s geographically adjacent to Bilk, Volmerswerth, and Düsseldorf’s central harbor. According to data from December 31, 2020, Hamm covers an area of 4.10 square kilometers (1.58 square miles) and is home to 4,518 inhabitants, resulting in a population density of 1,100 residents per square kilometer (2,850 per square mile). Düsseldorf-Hamm’s Wikipedia page provides a comprehensive overview of the district’s demographics and location.
The name “Hamm” itself has a local nuance. To distinguish it from the city of Hamm in Westphalia, residents often refer to it as “Kappes-Hamm,” with “Kappes” being the local dialect term for cabbage. This colloquial distinction underscores the strong regional identity within Düsseldorf.
Tracing Hamm’s Roots: From Medieval Origins to Integration
The history of Hamm stretches back centuries. The earliest written mention of Hamm dates to 789 A.C., with a second mention in 875. However, more consistent records begin to appear in 1218. The district officially became part of Düsseldorf in 1394, marking a significant step in its integration into the larger urban fabric. For centuries, a ferry service connected Hamm to Neuss, a neighboring city across the Rhine, until the construction of the Josef Cardinal Frings-Bridge provided a more permanent link.
Community life in Hamm has a long tradition. The gun club St. Sebastianus, founded in 1458, stands as one of the oldest such organizations in the region, demonstrating a continuous thread of social and cultural activity spanning over five centuries. This longevity speaks to the enduring sense of community within the district.
The Impact of Conflict and Resilience
Hamm’s history isn’t without its challenges. The Thirty Years’ War reached Hamm in 1644 when Brandenburg troops entered the settlement, disrupting life and leaving its mark on the area. Despite these periods of conflict, the community demonstrated resilience, and several religious structures endured. The Rochus Chapel, dating back to 1709, and the Cross Chapel, gifted by Earl of Palatine Philipp Wilhelm in 1658, remain standing as testaments to the area’s faith and perseverance. Both chapels are Roman Catholic.
Düsseldorf’s Carnival Traditions and Recent Events
Düsseldorf is renowned for its vibrant Carnival celebrations, and the recent activities of artist Jacques Tilly have been a notable part of the city’s cultural landscape. Tilly and his team constructed 13 floats for the 2026 Düsseldorf Carnival, but a significant portion of these creations are now being dismantled. On Tuesday, February 17, 2026, Tilly himself began the process of destroying the floats, a tradition driven by the need for space in the workshop and the enduring legacy of the designs in photographs and online. Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR) reported on this event, highlighting the artist’s unique approach to his work.
However, not all of Tilly’s creations are destined for destruction. Three floats are being preserved for various purposes. One, depicting the Hoppeditz (a traditional Carnival figure) being impaled by Vladimir Putin, is being retained due to ongoing legal proceedings against Tilly in Moscow related to his satirical work. He intends to use it as a backdrop during media interviews. The heads of political figures Markus Söder and Horst Seehofer will be displayed in an exhibition in the Eifel region.
The 2026 Düsseldorf Carnival floats, known for their satirical commentary, drew particular attention this year due to the legal challenges Tilly faces in Russia. His work consistently pushes boundaries and sparks dialogue, solidifying his position as a prominent figure in the Carnival tradition.
Looking Ahead: Preservation and Remembrance
The photograph shared by Stadt Düsseldorf serves as a powerful reminder of the city’s past and the importance of preserving its history. As Düsseldorf continues to evolve, acknowledging and learning from its past remains crucial. The ongoing preservation efforts, both in the form of archival documentation and the artistic expressions like those of Jacques Tilly, ensure that the stories of Düsseldorf and its districts, like Hamm, will continue to be told for generations to come. Further updates on the legal proceedings against Jacques Tilly and the exhibition of his Carnival creations can be found through WDR and other reputable news sources.
The next scheduled event related to the Düsseldorf Carnival is the planning phase for the 2027 celebrations, which will likely begin in the autumn of 2026. Readers interested in learning more about the history of Düsseldorf are encouraged to visit the website of the Stadtarchiv Düsseldorf. Share your own memories of Düsseldorf and Hamm in the comments below.
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