Cologne Ring
Encyclopedia
The Cologne Ring is a semi-circular, some 6 km long urban boulevard in Innenstadt, Cologne
and the city's busiest and most prominent street system. The Cologne Ring is a four lane street and part of Bundesstraße
9.
The ring road encircles the old town of Cologne on its Southern, Western and Northern boundaries on the site of the former mediaeval city wall. It divides Innenstadt into old town (Altstadt) east of it and new town (Neustadt) west of it. Most of the city wall has been worked away during the 1880s and only few sections of the wall exist today at Hansaring and Sachsenring. Of the once twelve mediaeval city gates, only the Eigelsteintorburg at Ebertplatz, the Hahnentor at Rudolfplatz and the Severinstorburg at Chlodwigplatz still stand today.
The Cologne Ring is a composition of several roads and squares, for which it is known in German in the plural form (Ringe). The sections are named after people and personalities of the history of Cologne
and Germany
. The following is a list of these sections, clockwise from South to North:
, a Germanic tribe and first inhabitants of the new founded Roman city of CCAA
. Ubierring is some 400 metres long and joins with Agrippinaufer (a river embankment road along the redeveloped Rheinauhafen
, which leads into Bayenthal
and Rodenkirchen
) to the East and Chlodwigplatz to the West.
(German: Chlodwig I.) (c. 466 - 511), King of the Franks from the Merovingian dynasty
.
, with a central lawn and several lines of trees. The Sachsenring is named after the Ottonian dynasty (919-1024), also known as Saxon dynasty. This 800 metres long section of the ring road is bounded by mostly free standing, modern office blocks, as well as the early 13th century Ulrepforte.
(1024–1125).
. The Cologne Ring running North-South, Luxemburger Straße, leading into Sülz
and Klettenberg, and Roonstraße leading onto Rathenauplatz. Cologne Stadtbahn
has stations on Barbarossaplatz for tram lines 12, 15, 16 and 18. The square is named after Holy Roman Emperor
Frederick I Barbarossa (1122–1190) and was originally laid out as an oval space with two circular traffic islands. Today, the spacial experience is largely overshadowed by a dominant, longitudinal tram station, which occupies most of the square. The square is one of the most discussed urban spaces in Cologne for redevelopment.
stands on the site of the former Opernhaus (1904–1944), destroyed during the bombing of Cologne in World War II
.
, as several roads and tram lines meet at Rudolfplatz. The Cologne Ring running North-South, Aachener Straße – the principal East-West arterial road which leads through Lindenthal district to the western extreme of the Cologne Beltway – and Hahnenstraße (which leads via the Neumarkt on to the Deutzer Brücke). Cologne Stadtbahn
has stations on Rudolfplatz for tram lines 1, 7, 12 and 15. The square is named after Rudolph I of Germany
(1218–1291).
of Cologne, with numerous restaurants, cafes, movie theaters, discothèques and night clubs along its course and in the adjacent side streets..
Since the 1990s, competing gangs of bouncers
have fought over control of the nightclubs here, extorting money from the clubs and befriending girls for exploitation as prostitutes.
The Hohenzollernring is lined with tall trees and is circa 700 metres long. About halfway, Hohenzollernring passes Friesenplatz, centre of the Friesenviertel, and a major U-Bahn station. At Friesenplatz, the Venloer Straße leads into Ehrenfeld. The Hohenzollernring is named after the Hohenzollern dynasty.
, some 360 metres long, with a landscaped central part and a large fountain. Nevertheless, it has a mainly commercial character. On the northern end lies the Christophstraße/Mediapark
U-Bahn station. Kaiser-Wilhelm-Ring is named after Wilhelm I of Germany (1797–1888).
(1871–1925), first President of Germany in the Weimar Republic
, though the square was originally named Deutscher Platz. The square is actually a spatial continuation of the larger Theodor-Heuss-Ring. On the Western end, Hansaring opens onto Ebertplatz, the Eastern end bleeds into the park-like Theodor-Heuss-Ring. On the Northern edge of the square, Riehler and Neusser Straße lead into Agnesviertel and Nippes
. Ebertplatz U-Bahn station is a large interchange station for five Cologne Stadtbahn
lines and the city's largest subway station.
Innenstadt, Cologne
Innenstadt is the central city district of the City of Cologne in Germany.The district was established with the last communal land reform in 1975, and comprises Cologne's historic old town , the Gründerzeit era new town plus the right-Rhenish district of Deutz...
and the city's busiest and most prominent street system. The Cologne Ring is a four lane street and part of Bundesstraße
Bundesstraße
Bundesstraße , abbreviated B, is the denotation for German and Austrian national highways.-Germany:...
9.
The ring road encircles the old town of Cologne on its Southern, Western and Northern boundaries on the site of the former mediaeval city wall. It divides Innenstadt into old town (Altstadt) east of it and new town (Neustadt) west of it. Most of the city wall has been worked away during the 1880s and only few sections of the wall exist today at Hansaring and Sachsenring. Of the once twelve mediaeval city gates, only the Eigelsteintorburg at Ebertplatz, the Hahnentor at Rudolfplatz and the Severinstorburg at Chlodwigplatz still stand today.
Sections
| map | KVB station | | lines of Cologne Stadtbahn Cologne Stadtbahn The Cologne Stadtbahn is a light rail system in the German city of Cologne, including several surrounding cities... |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 EbertplatzEbertplatz (KVB) Ebertplatz is a major underground station on the Cologne Stadtbahn lines 5, 12, 15, 16 and 18, located in Cologne. The station lies at Ebertplatz on the Cologne Ring in the district of Innenstadt.... |
5 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 18 | ||||||||
 HansaringKöln Hansaring station Köln-Hansaring is a subway and railway station situated on the Cologne Ring road in Innenstadt, Cologne in western Germany. It is served by the S6, S11, S12 and S13 lines of the Rhine-Ruhr S-Bahn, the Regional rail line RB25, and the 12 and 15 lines of Cologne Stadtbahn.The subway station opened in... |
12 | 15 | |||||||||||
| Christophstraße/Mediapark |
12 | 15 | |||||||||||
| Friesenplatz Friesenplatz (KVB) Friesenplatz is an underground station and hub on the Cologne Stadtbahn lines 3, 4, 5, 12 and 15 in Cologne. The station lies on the Cologne Ring, corner Friesenplatz in the district of Innenstadt.... |
3 | 4 | 5 | 12 | 15 | ||||||||
| Rudolfplatz Rudolfplatz (KVB) Rudolfplatz is an interchange station and hub on the Cologne Stadtbahn lines 1, 7, 12 and 15 in the Cologne district of Innenstadt. The station is located at Rudolfplatz, a major junction between the Cologne Ring and Aachener Straße.... |
1 | 7 | 12 | 15 | |||||||||
 Zülpicher Platz |
9 | 12 | 15 | ||||||||||
| Barbarossaplatz Barbarossaplatz (KVB) Barbarossaplatz is an interchange station and hub on the Cologne Stadtbahn lines 12, 15, 16 and 18 in the Cologne district of Innenstadt. The station is located at Barbarossaplatz, a major junction between the Cologne Ring and Luxemburger Straße.... |
12 | 15 | 16 | 18 | |||||||||
| Eifelstraße |
12 | 15 | 16 | ||||||||||
| Urlepforte |
15 | 16 | |||||||||||
| Chlodwigplatz Chlodwigplatz (KVB) Chlodwigplatz is a station on the Cologne Stadtbahn lines 15 and 16, located in the Cologne district of Neustadt-Süd. The station lies on Chlodwigplatz , after which it is named.... |
15 | 16 | |||||||||||
| Ubierring Ubierring (KVB) Ubierring is a station on the Cologne Stadtbahn lines 15 and 16, located in the Cologne district of Neustadt-Süd. The station lies on Ubierring , after which it is named.... |
15 | 16 | |||||||||||
The Cologne Ring is a composition of several roads and squares, for which it is known in German in the plural form (Ringe). The sections are named after people and personalities of the history of Cologne
History of Cologne
The History of Cologne, Germany's oldest major city, can be broken into several periods.- Roman period :In 39 BC, the tribe of the Ubii entered into an agreement with the Roman forces and settled on the left bank of the Rhine. Their headquarters was Oppidum Ubiorum — the settlement of the Ubii, and...
and Germany
History of Germany
The concept of Germany as a distinct region in central Europe can be traced to Roman commander Julius Caesar, who referred to the unconquered area east of the Rhine as Germania, thus distinguishing it from Gaul , which he had conquered. The victory of the Germanic tribes in the Battle of the...
. The following is a list of these sections, clockwise from South to North:
Ubierring
The Ubierring is the Southern end of the Cologne Ring and is named after the UbiiUbii
thumb|right|350px|The Ubii around AD 30The Ubii were a Germanic tribe first encountered dwelling on the right bank of the Rhine in the time of Julius Caesar, who formed an alliance with them in 55 BC in order to launch attacks across the river...
, a Germanic tribe and first inhabitants of the new founded Roman city of CCAA
Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium
Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium was the name of the Roman colony in the Rhineland out of which the German city of Cologne developed.It was the capital of the Roman province of Germania Inferior and the headquarters of the military in the region. With the administrative reforms under Diocletian,...
. Ubierring is some 400 metres long and joins with Agrippinaufer (a river embankment road along the redeveloped Rheinauhafen
Rheinauhafen
The Rheinauhafen is a urban regeneration project in Cologne, Germany, located along the River Rhine between the Südbrücke and Severinsbrücke , just south of the inner city's historic old town.The project is set around the actual Rheinauhafen, a formerly commercial harbour developed during the...
, which leads into Bayenthal
Bayenthal
Bayenthal is a small municipal part of Cologne, Germany and part of the district of Rodenkirchen. Bayenthal lies on the left bank of the river Rhine, between the district of Innenstadt to the North and Marienburg to the South. The borders to these are defined by the Southern Bridge and the...
and Rodenkirchen
Rodenkirchen
Rodenkirchen is a southern city district of Cologne in Germany. It has about 100,000 inhabitants and covers as an area of 54.56 square kilometres...
) to the East and Chlodwigplatz to the West.
- Köln International School of DesignKöln international school of designThe Köln International School of Design is an institution of the Cologne University of Applied Sciences and offers an interdisciplinary study program in the field of design...
- Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum
Chlodwigplatz
The Chlodwigsplatz 50°55′16"N 6°57′35"E is a centre of the Severinsviertel, a busy traffic roundabout and a 5-way intersection of Ubierring from the East, Karolingerring from the North-West, Severinstraße from the North and Merowinger and Bonner Straße from the South. Chlodwigplatz is named after Clovis IClovis I
Clovis Leuthwig was the first King of the Franks to unite all the Frankish tribes under one ruler, changing the leadership from a group of royal chieftains, to rule by kings, ensuring that the kingship was held by his heirs. He was also the first Catholic King to rule over Gaul . He was the son...
(German: Chlodwig I.) (c. 466 - 511), King of the Franks from the Merovingian dynasty
Merovingian dynasty
The Merovingians were a Salian Frankish dynasty that came to rule the Franks in a region largely corresponding to ancient Gaul from the middle of the 5th century. Their politics involved frequent civil warfare among branches of the family...
.
- Severinstorburg
Karolingerring
The Karolingerring is an only 200 metres long portion of the Cologne Ring and with only 30 metres width, one of its narrowest sections. The Karolingerring is named after the Frankish Carolingian dynasty.Sachsenring
The Sachsenring is - in contrast to the preceding Karolingerring - a wide, landscaped AvenueAvenue (landscape)
__notoc__In landscaping, an avenue or allée is traditionally a straight route with a line of trees or large shrubs running along each, which is used, as its French source venir indicates, to emphasize the "coming to," or arrival at a landscape or architectural feature...
, with a central lawn and several lines of trees. The Sachsenring is named after the Ottonian dynasty (919-1024), also known as Saxon dynasty. This 800 metres long section of the ring road is bounded by mostly free standing, modern office blocks, as well as the early 13th century Ulrepforte.
- Cologne Business SchoolCologne Business SchoolThe Cologne Business School is a privately-run business school located in Cologne, Germany. Cologne Business School is a state-recognized University of applied sciences...
- Humboldt-Gymnasium
- Institut Français
Salierring
The Salierring is some 400 metres long and forms a transition between the landscaped Sachsenring and the urban Barbarossaplatz. It is named after the Salian dynastySalian dynasty
The Salian dynasty was a dynasty in the High Middle Ages of four German Kings , also known as the Frankish dynasty after the family's origin and role as dukes of Franconia...
(1024–1125).
Barbarossaplatz
As several roads and tram lines meet at Barbarossaplatz 50°55′45"N 6°56′30"E, the square is an important hub for private and public transportation in CologneTransportation in Cologne
This article covers transportation in and around the city of Cologne, Germany.- Road transport :- Ring roads :The city of Cologne possesses one of the most comprehensive urban ring road systems. The beltways were laid out during the end of the 19th and in the early 20th centuries and today are...
. The Cologne Ring running North-South, Luxemburger Straße, leading into Sülz
Sülz
Sülz is a municipal part of Cologne, Germany and part of the district of Lindenthal. Sülz lies on Luxemburger Straße between Lindenthal and Klettenberg. Sülz has 35.475 inhabitants and covers an area of 5,17 km² .The name Sülz goes back to Sulpece, first mentioned in 1145 as a possession of...
and Klettenberg, and Roonstraße leading onto Rathenauplatz. Cologne Stadtbahn
Cologne Stadtbahn
The Cologne Stadtbahn is a light rail system in the German city of Cologne, including several surrounding cities...
has stations on Barbarossaplatz for tram lines 12, 15, 16 and 18. The square is named after Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Emperor
The Holy Roman Emperor is a term used by historians to denote a medieval ruler who, as German King, had also received the title of "Emperor of the Romans" from the Pope...
Frederick I Barbarossa (1122–1190) and was originally laid out as an oval space with two circular traffic islands. Today, the spacial experience is largely overshadowed by a dominant, longitudinal tram station, which occupies most of the square. The square is one of the most discussed urban spaces in Cologne for redevelopment.
Hohenstaufenring
North of Barbarossaplatz, the character of the Cologne Ring changes drastically, as all ground floors are occupied by shops, galleries and/or department stores and nearly all upper floors are being used as offices. Also, the trees are older and taller, which give the Ring a more cosmopolitan character. The Hohenstaufenring spans some 600 metres up to Schaafenstraße (where it turns unnoticeable into Habsburgerring). Halfway along its course, Hohenstaufenring passes the Sacred Heart Church (Herz-Jesu-Kirche) on Zülpicher Platz, the latter also serves as a tram station. Habsburgerring is named after the Hohenstaufen dynasty, a dynasty of German kings lasting from 1138 to 1254.- Rheinische Fachhochschule Köln
- Hotel Esplanade
Habsburgerring
With only 180 metres length, the Habsburgerring is the shortest section of the Ring. It is named after the Habsburg dynasty. The Barceló Cologne HotelBarceló Hotels
Barceló Hotels UK is the UK division of the Spanish privately owned group Barceló Hotels & Resorts. Barceló UK operate 21 4-star hotels in locations across Scotland, England and Wales. Hotels are situated in city and town centres, coastal resorts and countryside retreats...
stands on the site of the former Opernhaus (1904–1944), destroyed during the bombing of Cologne in World War II
Bombing of Cologne in World War II
The City of Cologne was bombed in 262 separate air raids by the Allies during World War II, including 31 times by the Royal Air Force . Air raid alarms went off in the winter/spring of 1940 as enemy bombers passed overhead. However, the first actual bombing took place on 12 May 1940...
.
Rudolfplatz
Rudolfplatz 50°56′11"N 6°56′22"E is the centre of Belgisches Viertel and one of the lifeliest squares of Cologne. It is an important hub for private and public transportation in CologneTransportation in Cologne
This article covers transportation in and around the city of Cologne, Germany.- Road transport :- Ring roads :The city of Cologne possesses one of the most comprehensive urban ring road systems. The beltways were laid out during the end of the 19th and in the early 20th centuries and today are...
, as several roads and tram lines meet at Rudolfplatz. The Cologne Ring running North-South, Aachener Straße – the principal East-West arterial road which leads through Lindenthal district to the western extreme of the Cologne Beltway – and Hahnenstraße (which leads via the Neumarkt on to the Deutzer Brücke). Cologne Stadtbahn
Cologne Stadtbahn
The Cologne Stadtbahn is a light rail system in the German city of Cologne, including several surrounding cities...
has stations on Rudolfplatz for tram lines 1, 7, 12 and 15. The square is named after Rudolph I of Germany
Rudolph I of Germany
Rudolph I was King of the Romans from 1273 until his death. He played a vital role in raising the Habsburg dynasty to a leading position among the Imperial feudal dynasties...
(1218–1291).
- Hahnentorburg
- Theater am Rudolfplatz
Hohenzollernring
The Hohenzollernring is the main entertainment districtEntertainment district
An entertainment district is used to describe an area that offers several forms of entertainment or many entertainment venues.Specific entertainment districts include:* Calgary Entertainment District, Canada* Granville Entertainment District, Canada...
of Cologne, with numerous restaurants, cafes, movie theaters, discothèques and night clubs along its course and in the adjacent side streets..
Since the 1990s, competing gangs of bouncers
Bouncer (doorman)
A bouncer is an informal term for a type of security guard employed at venues such as bars, nightclubs or concerts to provide security, check legal age, and refuse entry to a venue based on criteria such as intoxication, aggressive behavior, or attractiveness...
have fought over control of the nightclubs here, extorting money from the clubs and befriending girls for exploitation as prostitutes.
The Hohenzollernring is lined with tall trees and is circa 700 metres long. About halfway, Hohenzollernring passes Friesenplatz, centre of the Friesenviertel, and a major U-Bahn station. At Friesenplatz, the Venloer Straße leads into Ehrenfeld. The Hohenzollernring is named after the Hohenzollern dynasty.
- TaschenTaschenTaschen is an art book publisher founded in 1980 by Benedikt Taschen in Cologne, Germany. It began as Taschen Comics publishing Benedikt's extensive comic collection...
building - Gerling Ring-Karree
Kaiser-Wilhelm-Ring
The Kaiser-Wilhelm-Ring is an urban esplanadeEsplanade
An esplanade is a long, open, level area, usually next to a river or large body of water, where people may walk. The original meaning of esplanade was a large, open, level area outside fortress or city walls to provide clear fields of fire for the fortress' guns...
, some 360 metres long, with a landscaped central part and a large fountain. Nevertheless, it has a mainly commercial character. On the northern end lies the Christophstraße/Mediapark
MediaPark
The MediaPark is a urban regeneration neighborhood in Cologne, Germany, completed by the turn of the millennium. It was set up to accommodate companies of the media and communication industry, as well as cultural institutions, a hotel and some apartment buildings. The MediaPark is situated in...
U-Bahn station. Kaiser-Wilhelm-Ring is named after Wilhelm I of Germany (1797–1888).
Hansaring
At a length of 1,100 metres, the Hansaring is one of the longest sections of the Cologne Ring. Commercial activity decreases noticeable compared to Hohenzollernring, and only gradually increases towards Ebertplatz and the neighboring Eigelsteinviertel. The name of the Hansaring pays tribute to Cologne's history as a Hanseatic city from the 13th to 17th century. Among the landmarks on Hansaring are the building of the former Cologne Graduate School of Management (Handelshochschule), erected on Hansaring in 1901; since 1907 the building is home to the Hansa-Gymnasium. In 1925, Cologne's first skyscraper, the Hansahochhaus, was built opposite the Gymnasium.Ebertplatz
The Ebertplatz 50°57′2"N 6°57′28"E is named after Friedrich EbertFriedrich Ebert
Friedrich Ebert was a German politician of the Social Democratic Party of Germany .When Ebert was elected as the leader of the SPD after the death of August Bebel, the party members of the SPD were deeply divided because of the party's support for World War I. Ebert supported the Burgfrieden and...
(1871–1925), first President of Germany in the Weimar Republic
Weimar Republic
The Weimar Republic is the name given by historians to the parliamentary republic established in 1919 in Germany to replace the imperial form of government...
, though the square was originally named Deutscher Platz. The square is actually a spatial continuation of the larger Theodor-Heuss-Ring. On the Western end, Hansaring opens onto Ebertplatz, the Eastern end bleeds into the park-like Theodor-Heuss-Ring. On the Northern edge of the square, Riehler and Neusser Straße lead into Agnesviertel and Nippes
Nippes, Cologne
Nippes is the Fifth city district of Cologne, Germany. Nippes was merged into the city of Cologne in 1888, the district was formed in 1975...
. Ebertplatz U-Bahn station is a large interchange station for five Cologne Stadtbahn
Cologne Stadtbahn
The Cologne Stadtbahn is a light rail system in the German city of Cologne, including several surrounding cities...
lines and the city's largest subway station.
- Eigelsteintorburg