History of Bonn

Although archeological findings reveal that people have lived in Bonn since the Stone Age, over 12,000 years ago. It was the Romans who established the first town here, around 13 BC. In the centuries that have followed, Bonn has remained a popular city in the Rhineland, its greatest prominence coming from the fact that Beethoven was born and lived here.

The Franks

As the Roman Empire collapsed, and the Bonn fortress complex was destroyed by Germanic forces in 69 AD, the Franks stepped in to take control of the Rhineland. Bonn Castle was an important symbol of political control for the Franks up until the 9th century, when the Norman attacks between 881 AD and 882 AD signaled the decline of Frankish rule.

The German Empire is founded

In 925 AD, through the division of the Carolingian Empire, the first German Empire was founded. Many of Bonns lovely structures, which you can still see today, were built during the Middle Ages such as the Doppelkirche church in 1151 and the Godesburg Castle in 1210. The plague epidemic of 1348 brought suffering and economic setbacks to the city, as it did to much of Europe during this dark era.

The peaceful 1700s

The 18th century was a peaceful and prosperous time for Bonn. During this period, the towns rulers, such as Max Friedrich the philosopher of the Enlightenment and his successor Max Franz, instigated many cultural and architectural advancements. Bonn experienced something of a cultural heyday under Max Franz, as universities, theatres and health resorts were developed. Beethoven was born in 1770, which began an era of musical prominence for the city.

Changing of the guard

After the Rhineland was invaded by the French, Bonn was governed from France between 1798 and 1814. When Prussia took control in 1815, the city experienced a cultural revival as new universities were opened. Many notable students of the time came to Bonn to study, increasing its reputation.

The World Wars

After WWI, Bonn was occupied by the Allies until 1926 and again by American troops following the WWII in 1945. The bombings of WWII destroyed most of Bonns city centre and neighbouring Beuel.

A capital city

Up until 1949, Bonn was a quiet university town with a reputation for academia and culture. This all changed when it was made the capital of the new Federal Republic of Germany. Government moved in and the atmosphere of the city shifted its priorities. With the reunification of Germany in 1991, the capital moved back to Berlin and Bonn was relegated to the role of second capital.