Bonn Minster

Bonn, the former capital of West Germany, has a long history, dating back to Roman times. The waters of the River Rhein witnessed the exciting development of the city since its origins and through the centuries.

In the year 11 BC, the Roman Army arrived at the region, called “Bonna” at the time. Later, they built a huge military fort, called “Castra Bonnensis”, in the north of the city. The Romans went away with the decline of the Roman Empire, around 450 AD.

In the beginning of the Middle Ages, a new settlement was developed in the area of today’s Marktplatz and Bonn Minster. The urban structure of Bonn’s city center dates from this time, and traces of medieval constructions can still be found during a walk around the city.

“Bonna solum felix”, or “Bonn, fortunate ground”, was the sentence that citizens from the Late Middle Ages used to praise their city.

Finding out the vestiges of medieval Bonn is a travel to a time when knights, merchants, noblemen and monks populated the fortunate ground, surrounded by stone walls.

So, please take a map before the journey starts:

Bonn in 1575

Bonn in 1588

(There is a complete gallery of images at the end of the post.)

Bonn Minster

Bonn Minster lies on ancient burial ground.

The first stop of this treasure hunt should be at the Bonn Minster, the most important medieval monument in the city.

It lies on an ancient burial ground. Since the 6th century, increasingly larger buildings were constructed on the location. The construction of the church’s present form started in the 11th century and finished in the first half of the 13th century.

It is believed that in this place, early Christians remembered two Roman legionaries, Cassius and Florentius, who were executed in Bonn during a persecution of Christians in the 3rd century. They were nominated patron saints of the city in 1643, and a shrine found in the minster crypt is said to contain the remains of the two martyrs.

Cloister

Bonn Minster cloister

In the Middle Ages, monks used the cloister at the Bonn Minster for their daily activities, such as hair cutting and repairing shoes and clothes.

Prangersäule

Pillory column

This “pranger” column is in front of the cathedral since the 13th century, close to the Bonn Lion. People were tied to it for punishment and public humiliation.

Pfarrkirche St. Martin

Outline of the old Church of St. Martin

In front of the Minster, red tiles on the pavement mark the outline of the old Church of St. Martin, which held the parochial and baptism functions from the second quarter of the 12th century. The church collapsed during a storm in 1812 and was subsequently demolished.

Helenenkapelle

Helenen Kapelle

This chapel, built in 1160, has an interesting story. It was bombed by the prussians in the 17th century, and once again damaged during the  Second World War. Now it is surrounded by buildings, and it is only possible to get a view of the outside of the chapel from inside a clothes store.

Hauptpfarrkirche St. Remigius

Hauptpfarrkirche St. Remigius

The construction of this church dates back to 1274. First it was called Minoritenkirche, and since 1806 it is the Parish Church of St. Remigius. It was severely damaged several times, but still, it is the only surviving gothic church in old Bonn.

City wall

The course of the first medieval wall in Acherstrasse.

The first city wall was constructed in the first half of the 11th century, its course is marked by the Acherstrasse. It enclosed the Minster and a narrow settlement, was adorned by many towers and had four gates. The Marktplatz, where people settled for trade, laid outside the city wall. Commerce beyond the city wall was thriving, and in 1244 a new wall was built, which also enclosed the suburban markets.

Sternstrasse

Pisternenstrasse (Baker Street) was the old name of the street.

In this street, the medieval narrow properties’ lines can still be seen, even though the buildings are from the modern era. Nameplates with medieval names are affixed in many buildings.

Signs on Sternstrasse

The Sterntor, one of the city’s gates, was located by the end of this street.

Sterntor

Sterntor

This gate was demolished in 1898. Two years later, it was recreated using parts of the gate and the wall. The substitute was moved to Bottlerplatz, a few meters away from the original location, allowing people to see what the gate looked like.

Bonner Löwe

Bonn Lion

The sculpture of a lion standing over an animal was originally located at the cathedral square, where it stayed for centuries. It stand on a low pedestal and marked the court facility, being the emblem of a sovereign court. In 1900, it was transferred to Vivatsgasse and placed on a neo-Romanesque column. In 1943, because of the danger of bomb attacks, it was moved to the Rheinische Landesmuseum. Today, it is part of the permanent collection of the Bonn Stadtmuseum, and a replica can be seen today on the column at Vivatsgasse.

Hauptbahnhof

Bonn Central Station

There was a small settlement with few houses, called Müllheim, around the area of today’s Bonn Hauptbahnhof (Central Station). It was close to the Müllheimer Tor, one of the city’s gates.

Just like passengers at the Hauptbahnhof, the city moves forward, always changing, but leaving behind pieces, that new passengers can put together to have a glimpse of life at a time long past.

Text and Photos: Helen Mendes

Links:

Bonn City Chronicle

Stadtmuseum Bonn

Walk trough the old town

Bonn Minster

Click below to see the gallery of images: