Explaining case and usage of "Richtung"?

Question

Just curious. How would you explain to someone the proper use and appropriate case of *Richtung* as a directional indicator, in simple terms? whether showing movement or simple location or direction (and how the accusative, dative, or genitive is used for it), and whether *des* or *von* or any other article is needed with it? > z.B., *in Richtung [des]*; *in die/der Richtung [von/des]*, usw.

Answer 1

Since we're pretty much on lock down in Cali. I thought I would go to Wyzant for fun. Thus, I just found your question. It's unfortunate that it's been more than 6 months that you asked your question.

Nonetheless, from what I recall, German doesn't have the same prepositions used with 'direction/towards' (Richtung). Therefore, the simplest way to teach/show is to use examples:

Der Zug fährt in Richtung Köln.

Ich muβ in Richtung Gummersbach (small town), weil ich muβ meiner Schwester helfen.

Warum fährst du nach Bergneustadt (another small town)? Ich fahre in Richtung Bergneustadt weil mein Freund meinen Xbox hat.

In English we think "this train is headed the direction of or towards Cologne." It's literally, 'in direction' Cologne.