LateRooms.com - Head to Dusseldorf for the Stadtsparkasse Cartwheeling Tournament

People spending time in Dusseldorf this summer may come across one of the city's most famous customs.

The cartwheel is a symbol of the city, with a sculpture of cartwheeling children standing proudly in the Burgplatz and many local youngsters offering to perform the acrobatic feat for a few coins.

Every summer, this aspect of Dusseldorf's culture is celebrated at the Stadtsparkasse Cartwheeling Tournament.

This free event has been taking place on the banks of the Rhine annually since 1937 and offers visitors a great chance to experience one of the city's more unusual traditions.

This year, the tournament is scheduled for Sunday July 10th and young cartwheelers from countries across Europe are expected to participate.

According to local legend, Dusseldorf's love affair with the cartwheel predates the event by hundreds of years.

It is thought the display of gymnastic prowess has been a feature of celebrations in the city since the 13th century, when Dusseldorf was formally granted a town charter after winning the Battle of Worringen.

The battle marked the culmination of a bloody struggle for power between the Archbishop of Cologne and the Count of Berg, who defeated his opponent with the help of people from Dusseldorf.

Local folklore states that children marked the occasion by turning cartwheels for joy in the streets.

Nowadays, tourists visiting popular areas of the city such as the Altstadt and the Konigsallee are likely to encounter youngsters who will politely offer to cartwheel in return for a penny.

LateRooms.com offers a wide range of Dusseldorf hotel options that could appeal to holidaymakers, including the Relexa Hotel Ratingen City.

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