Viersen

Viersen is the capital of the district of Viersen, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

Geography

Viersen is situated approximately 8 km north-west of Mönchengladbach, 15 km south-west of Krefeld and 20 km east of Venlo.

Division of the town

The city of Viersen is made up of three cities: Süchteln, Dülken and Viersen, which combined in 1970, and one former village, Boisheim, which combined with Viersen in 1968.

Politics

The current mayor of Viersen is Christoph Hopp of the Christian Democratic Union since November 2025.
Previous mayoral election was held on 13 September 2020, with a runoff held on 27 September, and the results were as follows:
! rowspan=2 colspan=2| Candidate
! rowspan=2| Party
! colspan=2| First round
! colspan=2| Second round
! Votes
! %
! Votes
! %
! colspan=3| Valid votes
! 28,258
! 98.2
! 23,527
! 99.5
! colspan=3| Invalid votes
! 521
! 1.8
! 118
! 0.5
! colspan=3| Total
! 28,779
! 100.0
! 23,645
! 100.0
! colspan=3| Electorate/voter turnout
! 63,176
! 45.6
! 63,169
! 37.4

City council

The Viersen 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:
! colspan=2| Party
! Votes
! %
! +/-
! Seats
! +/-
! colspan=2| Valid votes
! 28,170
! 98.0
!
!
!
! colspan=2| Invalid votes
! 584
! 2.0
!
!
!
! colspan=2| Total
! 28,754
! 100.0
!
! 54
! 2
! colspan=2| Electorate/voter turnout
! 63,176
! 45.5
! 2.1
!
!

Economy

The company Mars Incorporated is situated in one of Viersen's industrial districts named Dülken-Mackenstein.
had his headquarter in Viersen, until it was closed in 2010.
Cable manufacturer SAB Bröckskes employs 550 people.

Culture

Recurring events

Viersen Jazz Festival 4th weekend each September.
The World Championships of Carom billiards take place in Viersen's Festival Hall. March
Big Carnival Parades in all 3 city parts. The one in Dülken is one of the biggest and most traditional Parades in North Rhine-Westphalia. February
The Dülkener Schöppenmarkt, a type of flea/junk market, which takes place on the day after the last Carnival parade, is one of Germany's biggest. February
Big free flea market in Viersen's pedestrian zone, where only children are allowed to sell. Biggest market of this type in Germany. Summer
"Viersen blüht" is a voluntary initiative which places arrangements and sculptures of flowers all over the city's pedestrian zone. Summer
International Biker Meeting, organized by the local biker-club "". 2nd weekend each September
Big kite-flying-festival. ''Autumn''
Main sights
Viersen sculpture collection
Städtische Galerie im Park Viersen
Viersen Bismarck Tower
Festhalle Viersen
Transport

Viersen is connected to the region by a dense bus network and Viersen station. The station is served by various local and regional rail lines.

Notable people

Gustav von Mevissen, businessman and politician
Max Nonnenbruch, painter
Illa Martin, dendrologist, botanist, conservationist and dentist
Albert Vigoleis Thelen, author and translator
Hilde Bruch, psychoanalyst
Erik Martin, writer, songwriter and composer of songs
Helmut Reisen, economist
Udo Voigt, politician
Holger Henke, political scientist
Elmar Theveßen, TV-journalist and author
Till Brönner, musician, arranger and producer
Mirja Boes, comedian, actress and singer
Martin Plum, politician
Roosevelt music producer and singer
Tim Stützle, professional ice hockey player
Ali Haurand, double bassist, bandleader, Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres and Viersen jazz festival founder
Twin towns – sister cities

Viersen is twinned with:

Calau, Germany
Kaniv, Ukraine
Lambersart, France
Mittweida, Germany
Pardesiya, Israel
Peterborough, England, United Kingdom