Bonn is the smallest of the Rhine metropolises. But only Bonn can claim to have been the German capital. A musical genius was also born here: Beethoven lived in Bonn for 22 years.
Beethoven monument on Münsterplatz
What would Bonn be without Beethoven? The city is proud of its most famous son and erected this monument on Münsterplatz in 1845. Not far from there is the composer’s birthplace, which is now a museum.
Old town hall at the market
The mayor of Bonn welcomes his guests behind this chic rococo façade. One or two important state visits have entered the city’s golden book. Because from 1949 to 1990 – during the division of Germany – Bonn was the provisional capital of the Federal Republic.
Plenary hall in the old waterworks
The old waterworks on the Rhine is an authentic place from the Bonn capital era. The German Bundestag met here for six years until it returned to the newly built plenary hall in Bonn in 1992 – and finally moved to Berlin in 1999. Today, guided tours through the plenary hall are offered for all those interested in history.
House of History
With 850,000 visitors a year, it is one of the most visited museums in Germany. The permanent exhibition makes German history since 1945 come alive. More than 6000 objects and documents can be admired here. The company car of the first Federal Chancellor, Konrad Adenauer, is a real eye-catcher.
Beer garden at the Old Customs
Where the electoral customs house once asked Rhine boatmen to pay up, you can now sit relaxed at the beer tables. People like to drink Kölsch – only that the people of Bonn call it Bönnsch. There is also a great view of the Rhine, the Siebengebirge and the Post Tower. At 162.5 meters, it is the tallest building in North Rhine-Westphalia.
The Deutsche Welle
Deutsche Welle has set up its headquarters next to the Post Tower. Employees from 60 nations produce multimedia information in 30 languages every day. Interested parties can take a look behind the scenes here after registering in advance.
Cherry blossoms in the old town of Bonn
A special natural spectacle takes place every spring. Tourists from all over the world admire the pink sea of cherry blossoms that Bonn’s old town is transformed into. The Heerstrasse, for example, was considered one of the ten most beautiful avenues in the world at the time. The trees were planted in the 1980s to bring color to the old town.
Poppelsdorf Castle
The Elector of Cologne once resided in this baroque palace. Today, the natural science collections of Bonn University are on display here. The adjacent botanical garden is one of the oldest and most species-rich in the world. An attraction for everyone who has a green thumb. For lovers of classical music, the summer palace concerts are a must.
The Drachenfels in the Siebengebirge
The mountain is one of the most visited local recreation destinations in the Rhineland. If you are ambitious, you hike up. All others take the Drachenfelsbahn. Once at the top, you can take in the Rhine landscape with the passing ships.
Rhine in Flames
Every first weekend in May, the city panorama shines in magical splendor. In addition to illuminated castles and ships, fireworks accompanied by music ensure a festive atmosphere. After the light spectacle, the masses are drawn to the music stages in the Rheinaue.
