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10 reasons I love Bonn

In this week’s virtual travel series, German diplomat Niels von Redecker shares 10 reasons why he loves his hometown Bonn. From architecture to history to culture and natural beauty, this city on the Rhine is one that everyone should experience at least once!

Sweet childhood memories

Like the smell of licorice on the hockey playgrounds in Dottendorf, a southern part of town, right opposite of the original Haribo factory.

© dpa / picture alliance

Rheinufer

An endless promenade along both sides of the river Rhine – perfect for hour-long runs, skates or bike rides.

© dpa / picture alliance

Rhine in flames

Year by year, this is the biggest event on the Middle Rhine – spectacular bonfires, reflections and echoes!

© dpa / picture alliance

Mild springs

The Rhine brings warm temperatures earlier than elsewhere. Indulge in the scents of lilacs, forsythia and all kinds of flowering trees, for example in Poppelsdorf and Südstadt.

© dpa / picture alliance

Live and let live

Bönnsche say “Jeder Jeck is anders” – we are all fools, but we each wear different caps and bells. Bonn is in the epicenter of German Carnival culture. I enjoyed floating through all the pubs as a young man, music, beer and fun for a whole week.

© dpa / picture alliance

Great composers

Ludwig van Beethoven was born in Bonn 250 years ago and you can still visit his birthplace. But for me, the house of late Robert Schumann (1810-1856) in Endenich was more important. As a Pänz (“little child”), I stood right in front of it every year, dressed up as a clown or a cowboy, and shouted for Kamelle (“sweets”) in the street carnival.

© dpa / picture alliance

Diplomatic Class of 2003

When I joined the Foreign Service, the diplomatic academy was still located on the Venusberg, residing on the green hills overlooking Bonn. For me, this meant (after many years spent elsewhere): back to the roots. My first child was born that year, a real Bönnsche Jong.

© Wikimedia Commons

Culture to the brim

I love the Bonn theaters, opera, museums and the arts – when Bonn was the federal capital (until 1990) and seat of the government (until 1999), it received extra funding for culture. Interestingly, that tradition continues.

© dpa / picture alliance

History and innovation

Bonn is one of the oldest German cities – founded by the ancient Romans 2,030 years ago. But Bonn is young and ambitious and does not rest on its laurels. It has reinvented itself over and over again – all the economic data have continued to move upwards. It accommodates many UN offices and international enterprises.

© dpa / picture alliance

Wonderful architecture

Bonn – unlike Cologne – was not heavily destroyed during World War 2. You can find Romanic churches from the 11th century like the Bonner Münster or baroque ensembles. I actually got married in the Schlosskirche (“castle church”), which is part of the University of Bonn. There is also an abundance of streets with rich facades in typical Art Nouveau style.

© dpa / picture alliance

By Niels von Redecker, German Embassy


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