Pre-War Cologne

An Introduction to the Regiment’s Garrison City

“Cologne, one of the strongest fortifications with ca. 600,000 inhabitants, receives the most foreign travelers of the German cities.In its narrow streets that date from the middle-ages…” reads the introduction of a 1912 travel guide.Given the city’s strategic location on the Rhine River, Cologne has a history as a major settlement and fortification that dates back to Roman times.Furthermore, the spread of Christianity that occurred under various Roman emperors also made its mark on the city.Cologne is often thought of as the heart of Catholicism in Germany.Even today, the city is the Karneval (i.e. Carnival or Mardi Gras) capitol of Germany.Finally, the Rhine River region to the south of Cologne is one of Germany’s greatest wine producing regions.

This introduction to the Regiment’s garrison city is designed to provide the 8^th Kuerassier reenactor with a feel for the city.As the introductory sentence suggests, it is based largely on a period travel guide, with a few observations from the article’s author.Furthermore, the many photographs and the map included in this article will show the significant landmarks of the city.It is hoped that the reenactor will use this information to improve the quality of living history.

The Map

Click for a larger image of Koln and Deutz

The accompanying map shows Downtown Cologne and the city of Deutz, the city just across the River. The Kuerassier’s Kaserne (transl. Barracks) was situated in Deutz, very close to the Hohenzollern Bruecke (transl. Bridge). The barracks and the bridge are clearly shown on the map.

First-Class Hotels (Prices 3 Marks and up)—A Partial List

Dom-Hotel, on Domhof (Dom = Cathedral, Domhof = Cathedral Square)

Exzelsior-Hotel Ernst, on Trankgasse vis-à-vis the Cathedral

Hotel du Nord, am Frankenplatz to the right of the Hohenzollern Bridge

Simpler but very Good Hotels (i.e. still First Class)—A Partial List

City-Hotel, on the corner of Bahnhofstrasse and Marzellanstrasse(Bahnhof = Railroad Station)

Continental, at Domhof 18

Ewige Lampe (transl. Eternal Light) and Europaischer Hof (transl. European Court), at Komoedienstr. 2-8

Given the presumed background of most Kuerassiers, second-class hotels are not listed.

Wine Restaurants—A Partial List

Koelner Hof (transl. Cologne Court), across from the main railroad station, evening concerts

Domhotel, on Domhof

Exzelsiorhotel Ernst, evening concerts

Guerzenich, a must see old wine restaurant.See photograph later.

Beer Houses—A Partial List

Ewige Lampe, at Komoedienstr. 2-8

Bierstall, at Komoedienstr. 9-27

Fischer, at the High Street Passage

Konditoreien (Transl. Pastry Shops)

Eigel, at Schildergasse 36

Kaiser, at Breitestrasse 41

Esser, at Hohenstrasse 53 (transl. High Street)

Theaters—A Partial List

Schauspielhaus, on Kreuzgasse

Opernhaus, on Habsburgerring

Concerts—A Partial List

Guerzenich-Concerts (world-famous)

Cologne Maennersangverein (transl. Mens’ singing club)Karneval (Mardi Gras)

A parade on Rosenmontag—the Monday before Fat Tuesday.In the evenings concerts and many masquerade balls.The best known:Fat Tuesday in the Guerzenich Hall.Tickets are hard to get, and must be purchased in advanced.Rooms must also be ordered in advance.Prices in Restaurants and Cafes are considerably more expensive.

Electric Streetcars

The travel guide lists 21 electric streetcars.Nr. 1 (blue-green), 2 (blue), 3 (yellow), and 4 (green and white) all stop in Deutz.

Must-See Attractions

The Dom (transl. Cathedral)

The Erzbischoefliches Museum (transl. Archbishop Museum)

Guerzenich

The Historical Museum, located in the Hahnentor (Tor = Gate) and the Eigelsteintor

Outings from Cologne

The Stadtgarten (transl. City Garden), at the West Train Station, reachable by Streetcar 7

The Volksgarten (transl. People’s Garden), southwest of the city, reachable by Streetcar 2

The Zoologischer Garten, near the Hohenzollern Bridge

The Koenigsforst (transl. King’s Forest), a beautiful forest in which one can wander for hours

Photographs

included in the travel guide show some of the city’s architectural highlights. Details are provided below.

Hauptbahnhof

(transl. Main Train Station)

A key part of every major German city.

Der Dom

“Probably the most beautiful Gothic building in the world. The foundation was laid in 1248. Construction was completed in 1880.”

Domhof with the Archbishop Museum

Synagoge

Rathaus (transl. City Hall)

Another key part of every major German city’s must see buildings.

Hohenzollernbruecke

The main bridge connecting Cologne and Deutz.Bridge toll 2 Pfennig (transl. Cents).

Schiff Brüecke

A smaller bridge, down from the Hohenzollern, showing the suburb of Deutz. Note the 8. Kuerassier's barracks on the far left.

Randal Gaulke

March 2001

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