Annakirmes Riesenrad

For just nine days a year, always around the Annafest in late summer, a Ferris wheel turns above the fairgrounds between Aachener Straße, Langenberger Straße and Rurdammweg, offering for this brief period one of the finest views Düren has to offer. The Ferris wheel is not a permanently installed structure but part of the traditional fairground attractions of the Annakirmes, one of the largest folk festivals in North Rhine-Westphalia, and is rebuilt, operated and dismantled again each year by travelling fairground families after the festival ends. Anyone lucky enough to visit Düren during these nine days in late summer can enjoy, from the top of the wheel, a sweeping view across the festival grounds, the surrounding districts, and on a clear day even as far as the tower of the Annakirche, which rises prominently above Düren's old town. Because this is a seasonal attraction available only during the Annakirmes, a visit differs fundamentally from permanent viewpoints, making planning and anticipation all the more important.

History of Annakirmes Riesenrad

The history of the Annakirmes itself dates back to 1501 and is closely tied to the veneration of Saint Anne, whose relic has been kept in Düren's Annakirche since that time and originally drew numerous pilgrims to the city. Over the centuries, the initial pilgrimage festival developed first into a large market and eventually, with the rise of travelling showmen in the 19th and 20th centuries, into today's folk festival with rides, stalls and entertainment. Until 1892 the Annakirmes still took place in Düren's city centre, but following noise complaints from residents it was relocated by the city council to its current fairground site of around 50,000 square metres, where it has been held annually ever since. The Ferris wheel as a ride has been a fixed part of the fair's tradition for many decades and is traditionally operated by the Kipp family of fairground operators, who bring the wheel back to its customary spot on the grounds almost every year. In 2014 the Annakirmes even hosted a particularly large Ferris wheel known as the "Europarad", standing 55 metres tall, offering visitors an even more expansive view over Düren and its surroundings than the traditionally somewhat smaller models. This close connection between the centuries-old religious tradition of the Annafest and the comparatively young showman's tradition of the Ferris wheel makes the Annakirmes a festival in which history and entertainment come together in a unique way.

Highlights of Annakirmes Riesenrad

The greatest appeal of a ride on the Annakirmes Ferris wheel lies in the panoramic view that opens up from the upper gondolas over the colourful bustle of the fairground, the surrounding residential areas, and the skyline of Düren's city centre with the striking tower of the Annakirche. A ride in the evening hours is particularly impressive, when thousands of coloured lights from the rides and stalls shine beneath an already dark sky, transforming the entire fairground into a sparkling sea of light that can be especially well appreciated from the height of the gondolas. With nearly one million visitors annually and around 160 to 170 fairground operators from across the country, the Annakirmes ranks among the largest folk festivals in Germany, and the Ferris wheel traditionally serves as one of the central orientation points across the expansive grounds. For families, a shared ride on the Ferris wheel is often one of the highlights of a visit to the fair, offering a contrast of calm and a view against the otherwise hectic, noisy bustle of the other rides. Photographers like to use the elevated position to take aerial-style shots of the fairground and the surrounding city, while couples appreciate the brief, romantic ride in the gondola as a special moment during their visit to the festival. Since the exact size and model of the Ferris wheel can vary slightly from year to year, depending on which operator brings which ride, repeat visitors can also enjoy comparing the views from different years.

Opening Hours, Tickets & How to Get to Annakirmes Riesenrad

It is important to know that the Annakirmes Ferris wheel is available exclusively during the nine days of the Annafest, which traditionally begins on the Saturday after 26 July, Saint Anne's feast day, and ends on the second Sunday that follows; outside this period, the Ferris wheel simply does not exist, since it is a mobile ride that is dismantled again once the fair ends. During the festival days, the fairground is open daily from around 11am until late at night, usually between 12:30am and 2am, although the exact operating hours of the Ferris wheel itself may vary slightly depending on visitor numbers and weather conditions. Admission to the fairground itself is free, but a separate ticket for the Ferris wheel ride is purchased directly at the attraction, with the price varying depending on the season and operator. The fairground lies between Aachener Straße, Langenberger Straße and Rurdammweg and can be reached from Düren's city centre within a few minutes on foot. Given the enormous number of visitors during the Annakirmes, travelling by public transport or on foot is recommended, as parking in the surrounding streets is regularly in short supply during the festival days.

Attractions Near Annakirmes Riesenrad

Just a few minutes' walk from the Annakirmes fairground stands the Annakirche with its striking tower, the spiritual origin of the entire folk festival, which combines well with a visit to the fair. Heading towards the city centre, visitors can also reach the Leopold-Hoesch-Museum and the historic old town with its pedestrian zone, both worth a visit even outside the festival period. Willy-Brandt-Park, with its mature trees, and the Rurufer, with its walking paths along the river, offer quieter alternatives whenever the bustle of the fair calls for a break. Visitors travelling to Düren outside the Annakirmes season will find, in place of the Ferris wheel, the city's other parks and viewpoints, including the Annakirche tower as a permanent landmark that can be visited year-round, even once the Ferris wheel itself has long since been taken down.