Worcester International Link
The website of the City of Worcester Twinning Association
We support international links on behalf of the residents of Worcester
Kleve
Kleve,with a population of 50,000, is an important County town in the North West of Germany in the area between the Rhine and the Dutch border. Situated on the only hill for many miles around, Kleve is visible from every direction.
In the lower Rhine area there are several pleasant towns and impressive Roman remains. Dusseldorf is near and just over the border are the towns of Arnhem, Nijmejen, Amsterdam and Giethoorn -The little Dutch Venice. Kleve is bicycle country with a wealth of paths and on an historical note Kleve is linked with Anne of Cleeves who became a wife of Henry VIII.
Twinning between
Worcester and Kleve commenced in 1987 and many contacts have been made
between
schools, organisations and individuals.
Exchange visits take place every year and many friendships have been formed.
The Kleve stall is a very popular part of the Worcester Christmas Fayre, which takes place every year at the end of November / early December.
In 2007 an event was held at the Schwanenburg Castle to commemorate the 450th anniversary of the death of Anne of Cleeves (see link).
Schwanenburg Castle
or
Swan Castle overlooks
the city of Kleve
The Lohengrin - Fountain depicting the legend of the Knight
of the swan who departs back to the river leaving behind
his wife and children
These beautiful gardens just outside Kleve, with their
amphitheatre, are said to have been an inspiration for
those at Versailles and Berlin.