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| Bonn, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany |
Bonn is a Federal City, and is known primarily for two things, having been the capital of West Germany prior to the unification of the Federal Republic of Germany, and the birthplace of Ludwig van Beethoven. It is located on the banks of the River Rhine, approximately 25 kilometres south of Cologne in the western regions of the Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia within sight of the Seven Mountains, the Siebenbirge, which lie to the south-east. The modern city has over the last few years undergone major re-structuring due to the re-location of the capital to Berlin, but remains an important administration centre of the country as it has retained several government offices, numerous U.N. organisations and non-government institutions. Due to its heritage of being the capital of West Germany and seat of government for 50 years, the city has developed into a busy, cosmopolitan, and cultural centre, and today, this modern city with its historic roots, is a popular tourist destination.
Bonn has a 2,000 year old history having evolved from an 11 B.C. Roman military settlement, known as Castra Bonnensia, to a large, important town during the last days of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century. These fortifications were later used by the Frankish kings and became known as Bonnburg. Destroyed by the Normans in the 9th century, it later became a medieval walled town as evidenced by the reconstructed Star Gate, or Sterntor, and centered around the Bonn Minster. Eventually Bonn became the residence of the Electors of Cologne from the 13th to the 18th centuries during which time the historic Altstadt developed into what we see today.
Bonn’s history can best be seen by starting in the historic Adtstadt which is a nicely preserved area of medieval buildings and monuments. Here can be found the 18th century Altes Rathaus, or ‘Old City Hall’ which houses the interesting Stadtmuseum, or City Museum that documents the history of Bonn, and just around the corner is the 14th century Gothic St. Remigus Church. The Rathaus of course is located in the lively Marktplatz with its 18th century Marktbrunnen, or Market Fountain. Even today the Marktplatz is a centre for market days and cultural events. A little further away in the Munsterplatz can be found the beautiful 11th century Bonn Minster with its five towers and fantastic black spires , which is one of Germany’s oldest churches, and the 19th century statue of Beethoven. As you wander around town look out for other interesting places such as Beethoven’s Haus at Bonngasse 20, where you will find Beethoven’s birthplace complete with musical instruments, manuscripts and pictures. There is also the huge 17th century Electors Palace, which is now the University of Bonn, and one of the finest buildings in the city. Part of this historic Palace which extends towards the river creates an archway over the street to Koblenz and is known as the Koblenz Gate. Next to the Palace is the Hofgarten, which, with its well tended lawns and shady trees is usually actively used by students of the university. From here it is not too far to the river banks in the south-eastern edge of the medieval city where the Alter Zoll stands, which was once part of the city fortifications. The location of the Alter Zoll probably offers some of the best views over the river, the Siebengbirge and the area of the Altstadt. Other places to look out for include the House of August Macke, one of Bonn’s local Expressionist painters during the early 20th century, the 17th century Baroque styled Kreuzbergkirche which is known for its impressive Holy Staircase which is said to have been climbed by Pilgrims on their knees, the elegant Redoute in which Beethoven played in front of Haydn, and the 18th century Poppelsdorfer Schloss which is used by the University of Bonn and behind which is the Botanical Gardens. One last thing just for fun may be the Brickemannche, or Little Bridge Man which can be found underneath the Kennedy Bridge.
This historic centre is complimented by a large range of museums along what is known as the Museum Mile that stretches from the Sudstadt to Bad Godesberg. This area is a very popular tourist destination with over 1 million visitors each year!! Here you will find such treasures as the Haus der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik, or the House of History of the German Republic which documents the drama of Germany’s modern history, the Kunstmuseum, or the Bonn Art Museum which is housed in a spectacular building which contains 20th century works by August Macke and the Rhenish Expressionists, the Deutsches Museum Bonn, or the German Museum of Bonn which exhibits milestones of German technological research and science over the last 60 years. There is also the Rheinisches Landesmuseum, or the regional Museum of the Rhineland which exhibits the treasures of Rhenish art, cultural and the archaeology of the Rhineland, the Heimatmuseum Beuel, or the Beuel Homeland Museum which is located in the oldest half-timbered house in Beuel and documents local history and the Museum of Alexander Koenig which is one of the best zoological museums in Germany!!
One more thing which may be important are the major events which occur in Bonn which include the Beethovenfest, the ‘Rhine in Flames’ Festival, the Putzchens Market and the Weihnachtsmarkt. The Beethovenfest, which of course features the music of Beethoven in a number of concerts, takes place in September every year in a variety of venues. The ‘Rhine in Flames’ occurs in May and lights up the river from Linz to Bonn, the Putzchens Markt occurs in September and is known as being the biggest funfair in Germany’s Rhineland, and the Weihnachtsmarkt or the Bonn Christmas Market which takes place next to the Bonn Minster.
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