Bonn is the 19th largest city in Germany. Located about 20 kilometres south of Cologne
on the river Rhine in the Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia, it was the capital of
West Germany from 1949 to 1990 and the official seat of government of united Germany
from 1990 to 1999. Starting in 1998, many national government institutions were moved
from Bonn to Berlin. Both houses of the German national parliament, the Bundestag as
well as the Bundesrat, were moved along with the Chancellery and the residence of
Bonn remains a centre of politics and administration, however. Roughly half of all
government jobs were retained as many government departments remained in Bonn and
numerous sub-ministerial level government agencies relocated to the former capital from
Berlin and other parts of Germany. In recognition of this, the former capital now holds the
title of Federal City
Bonn was the former capital of the Federal Republic of Germany (previously, West
Germany) and lies on the river Rhine some 20 km south of Cologne. The city remains a
popular choice for large-scale exhibitions and conferences. Bonn is best known culturally
as the birthplace of Ludwig van Beethoven. Population 315,000.
Bonn's beginning dates to between 13 - 9 BC when Romans began building roads,
bridges, and fortresses at a location known as "Bonna". One well documented event was
the maryrdom of two Thebaean legionaries. The Thebaean Legion was an all Christian
legion, which refused to worship the emperor as a god. As punishment the Thebaean
Legion's commander, Mauritius was executed in St. Moritz as were many other Thebaean
legionaries including Cassius and Florentius, Bonn's patron saints, who were martyred at
the location of the present-day Münster basilica.
After the Romans left the town had a very tumultuous history. Bonn has been destroyed
and pummeled on so many occasions that it nearly became a pastime. Norman invaders
were the first to burn the town to the ground in 881 and again in 892. In 1198 King Philip of
Swabia and Duke Heinrich von Brabant layed siege to Bonn. In 1244 Konrad von
Hochstaden, archbishop of Cologne ordered Bonn to be fortified. The reasons for
fortrification may have been for the Archbishop's protection as he had apparently begun
fighting with Cologne's leaders and often resided in Bonn after the dispute. In 1288 under
Sigfried II von Westerburg the archbishopric was transferred from Cologne to Bonn, which
has since been transfered back to Cologne.
In 1582 Archbishop Gebhard Truchsess von Waldburg converted to Calvinism and
refused to give up his position as elector. In February of 1583 Waldburg married and was
in April of the same year excommunicated by Pope Gregory XIII. After the Truschessian
War Gebhard fled to Strassbourg, but not before Bonn felt the rapture of Bavarian troops,
who blew up the Godesberg (the archbishop's residence) with 1,500 pounds of gun
powder. While the town survived the Thirty Years war Bonn was completely destroyed in
1689 as a result of the War of the Grand Alliance.
At present, the private sector plays a major role in Bonn's economy. With 5 stock listed
companies, Bonn has the 4th highest market capitalisation amongst German towns. With
headquarters of DHL, T-Mobile and other renowned companies, managers have replaced
the public sector.
PLACE TO VISIT
Das Bonner Münster - A beautiful basilica, in Bonn's city center. Only Bonn Information or the Bonner Münster Foundation are permitted to arrange guided tours to the basilica. The "Bonn Information" organization can arrange for non-German tours
Kreuzbergkirche - The church is a beautiful example of baroque architecture. Today, the church serves as both a church and a German language and culture school, but is probably best known for the "Heiliger Steige". The church was erected in 1627/1628 on the orders of the archbishop to replace an older chapel. In 1746 Elector Clemens August von avarian donated the "Heiliger Steige", or holy staircase, which, according to legend has pieces of the cross the crucified Jesus set into the stone. Small brass crosses on the second, leventh, and last steps mark the spots where the pieces of the cross are supposed to be set.
Deutsche Welle World Headquarters and Radio - Deutsche Welle (Also known simply as DW) is Germany's international media outlet and is now housed in what was supposed to be the German parliment's home. After the German government decided to move the building was taken over by DW to become its world headquarters and home to its radio operations. Tours are conducted in German, however, tours can be conducted in English, French, Spanish, or Portugese when requested in advance. DW asks that anyone wishing to take a tour reserve at least two months in advance and may require you to be with a group of 6 - 20 persons, however, they may arrange an exception if contacted. Tours last an average of two hours. Tours are free.
Palais Schaumburg, Adenauerallee - Until 2001 the was used to house the office of Germany's chancellor and the chancellor's cabinet. Today, the building is used as a secondary headquarters for the chancellor.
Villa Hammerschmidt - the Villa Hammerschmidt served as the residence of the German President, however, since the relocation of the German government to Berlin the building serves as a secondary residence for the president.
Beethoven-Haus - The birthplace of the great composer is now a museum dedicated to his life and work. The museum even has a lock of Beethoven's hair on display. Somewhat ironically Bonn advertises their hometown son despite Beethoven's vehment hatred for his hometown. With a competent docent this museum is well worth the visit and is more interesting than Mozart's Geburthaus in Salzburg.
August Macke Haus - August Macke a leading member of Der Blaue Reiter, a famous expressionist group, lived in this house with his wife, Elizabeth, for a few years and produced over 400 works in the top floor studio. Admission (regular/reduced): Adults: €3.50 / €2.50, Children: €2.50/ €1.50.
Haus der Geschichte - The museum is open with limited hours during the Christmas season. A interesting explanation of German history. Exhibitions are presented in German only, but guidebooklets with English translations are available for a couple Euros, and guided tours for school groups conducted in english are available free of charge when prebooked. Free admission for individuals. Tour groups with a guide €35.
Poppelsdorfer Allee - is an alley flanked by chestnut trees which had the first horsecar of the town. It connects the Kurfürstliches Schloss with the Poppelsdorfer Schloss, a palace that was built as a resort to prince-electors in the first half of the 18th century.
HOW TO REACH
By air - The closest airport to Bonn is the Cologne-Bonn (German: Köln-Bonn) airport
(IATA: CGN, ICAO: EDDK). The airport handles far more air cargo traffic than
passengers, but since the airport has become the hub for a few low-cost air carriers such
as Germanwings and TUIfly the airport has seen a nearly two-fold rise in passenger
traffic. From outside of Europe the airport is a very well kept secret - airlines will often offer
on par or better rates to CGN than some of Europe's larger airports like Gatwick,
Heathrow, or Charles de Gaulle. Several flights from New York City cost as low as $400
round trip.
From the airport, take the 670 airport bus to the middle of Bonn city. It leaves every 20-30 minutes from near the taxi stands at the airport. You can also take a train from the airport to Bonn-Beuel, which is the other side of the river from Bonn city (Zentrum).
