Chlodwigplatz

When naming the Cologne Rings, reference should also be made to the development of German history.

After the end of Roman rule, it was the Merovingians who became the most influential rulers in Europe. The first Merovingian king Chlodwig is honoured with the Chlodwigplatz.

Chlodwig I (born 466 AD) took over the rule in 482 AD at the age of 16 and is considered the founder of the Merovingian dynasty. He is known for his ruthless and cruel style of government.

At Chlodwigplatz you can admire one of the last preserved city gates of the medieval city wall, the Severinstorburg. In order to expand the city, it was decided in 1882 to demolish the medieval city wall and also the gates. Only through massive protest of the citizens could it be achieved that at least 3 large gates were saved from destruction.

1904 Siemens and Halske AG, photo album "Bahnen der Stadt Cöln a. /Rhein"Pappe, Berlin / Cologne, Meier, Wolfgang F., , rba_c017078. — Photo: © Rheinisches Bildarchiv 1904 Siemens and Halske AG, photo album "Bahnen der Stadt Cöln a. /Rhine"Pappe, Berlin /
Cologne, Meier, Wolfgang F., , rba_c017078.Image credit: © Rheinisches Bildarchiv Köln, Meier, Wolfgang F., rba_c017078 · Image source · Image credit

Tram line 5 - Chlodwigplatz on the Neumarkt around 1910, , , rba_093799.Image credit: © Rheinisches Bildarchiv Köln, rba_093799 · Image source · Image credit

Chlodwigplatz, with Severinstor, aircraft damage, aerial photograph, circa 1945, , , rba_072448.Image credit: © Rheinisches Bildarchiv Köln, rba_072448 · Image source · Image credit

,Chlodwigplatz 1953 North-East Side rba_mfL000177_03 — Photo: © Rheinisches Bildarchiv Köln,Chlodwigplatz 1953 North-East-side rba_mfL000177_03Image credit: © Rheinisches Bildarchiv Köln, rba_mfL000177_03 · Image source · Image credit

Photo: © Rheinisches Bildarchiv Köln, Chlodwigplatz 1-3 1980 rba_mfL003406_02Image credit: © Rheinisches Bildarchiv Köln, rba_mfL003406_02 · Image source · Image credit

Chlodwigplatz 1983 with Severinstorburg, Cologne, (rba_c003408)Image credit: © Rheinisches Bildarchiv Köln, rba_c003408 · Image source · Image credit

Other events in Cologne are also linked to Chlodwigplatz:

Meanwhile, the Rosenmontag train starts every year at Chlodwigplatz.

Chlodwigplatz after conversion South Side 2016© Prof. Dr. Thorsten Fröhlich · Image source · Image credit

On November 9, 1992, 100,000 people gathered at the Chlodwigplatz in Cologne. Artists from the Cologne music scene had called for a concert “against racism and neo-Nazis”. This was preceded by a wave of attacks with a xenophobic background. Under "Ass huh - Zäng ussenander" is this Cologne campaign against Rights Violence has become known.

Also linked to the address Chlodwigplatz is the Brauhaus Früh im Veedel. In the vernacular, the pub is also called “Invalidendom”. One possible explanation for this is the neo-Gothic measurement windows, which are reminiscent of the Invalid Cathedral in Paris. More conclusive, however, is the following connection to the model from France.

Decorated facade with the inscription Early em Veedel. — © Prof. Dr. Thorsten Fröhlich · Image source · Image credit

The Invalid Cathedral in Paris was founded by Ludwig IVX. for the care of the war-injured. In the Cologne brewing house on the Severinstorburg, the veterans of the first world war in the south met early in the morning for beer and brandy, many of them had lost limbs during the war, so they were invalids.

Sources

https://www.ksta.de/koelner-historie-unser-mann-vom-chlodwigplatz-13727486 http://www.bilderbuch-koeln.de/Strassen/Chlodwigplatz

Imgrund, Bernd: 111 places to see in Cologne, Vol.1, Emons-Verlag, 2008

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chlodwigplatz_Koeln_1904.jpg

Location on the map

Sources