How to Pronounce Krefeld

Meaning and Context

Krefeld is a major city situated in the Lower Rhine region of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, located just northwest of Düsseldorf and near the Rhine River. Historically celebrated as the "Velvet and Silk City," its 18th and 19th-century textile industry, particularly silk production, forged immense wealth and architectural heritage, visible in the elegant villas of the Stadtteil Uerdingen. Today, Krefeld is a significant cultural hub, home to internationally recognized institutions like the Kaiser Wilhelm Museum, part of the Kunstmuseen Krefeld, and the German Textile Museum, which delves into its fabric manufacturing past. The city also offers diverse attractions such as the Krefeld Zoo, one of the oldest in Germany, the historical Burg Linn castle and archaeological museum, and expansive green spaces including the Botanischer Garten Krefeld. Its position within the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan area and its robust transportation links make it an important center for industries beyond textiles, including chemical production and metalworking, while maintaining a distinct identity rooted in its Prussian history and Lower Rhine traditions.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The standard spelling is Krefeld. A common historical and occasional contemporary variant is Crefeld, which was the traditional spelling used in English and other languages, particularly in references to the city's famed 18th and 19th-century silk industry (e.g., "Crefeld silks"). This older spelling persists in some historical texts, family names, and certain institutional titles. Frequent misspellings and typos often arise from phonetic errors or keyboard slip-ups, such as "Krefield" (incorrectly adding an 'i'), "Krefeldt" (adding an extra 't'), or "Krefed." Additionally, the city is formally known as Krefeld-Uerdingen following the 1929 incorporation of the town of Uerdingen, and this combined name is sometimes used in official or historical contexts, though "Krefeld" is the predominant and correct modern form.

Example Sentences

For anyone interested in industrial history, a visit to Krefeld's German Textile Museum is essential to understand its legacy as the "Silk City.

" After exploring the Baroque splendor of Linn Castle, we enjoyed a quiet stroll through the meticulously maintained Botanischer Garten Krefeld.

The city's excellent rail connections make it a convenient base for exploring the broader North Rhine-Westphalia region.

Many of the ornate villas in the city center were built by prosperous silk merchants during Krefeld's economic zenith.

Contemporary art enthusiasts should not miss the innovative exhibitions at the Kaiser Wilhelm Museum, part of the renowned Kunstmuseen Krefeld.

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