Bonn, Germany: City of languages

Bonn - City of Beethoven

Surrounded by nature along the beautiful Rhine river and green parks in the ‘Seven Hills’- ‘Siebengebirge’ and Eifel, with 2000 yeas of history, an international base for the UN, Bonn has a new look, characterized by transition; the city is changing, from a center for politics into a modern services location for telecommunications, innovative technologies, sciences and health. The historical center of Bonn offers an abundance of sights which are easily reached on foot. The major points are the Beethoven Monument, the Romanesque Münsterbasilika, the Electors palace-nowadays the university- with the Hofgarten, the old baroque City Hall and the Rhine bank. In December 1770 Ludwig van Beethoven was born in ‘Bonngasse’, where largely preserved in its original condition, is known today as the ‘Beethoven House’. The building houses the world’s most extensive Beethoven collection, including paintings and portraits, original manuscripts and first editions of Beethoven’s major works, his last grand piano, his string instruments and ear trumpets. Bonn International Beethoven Festival

Each year, the Bonn International Beethoven Festival presents some fifty top quality classical music concerts. Lasting three to four weeks between mid-September and mid-October, world-famous artists and young, highly talented musicians perform works from Beethoven’s musical legacy. Museums in Bonn:

Museum of History of the Federal Republic of Germany (Haus der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik Deutschland)

Dedicated to the history of Germany from the end of the Second World War to the present day, some 7000 exhibits are on show, ranging from railway saloon carriage of the Federal Chancellor and an original cinema from the 1950’s to parts of the Berlin Wall.

The Art and Exhibition Hall of the Federal Republic of Germany

Designed by Viennese architect, Gustav Peichl, the building features three striking light spires, a roof garden and a series of columns representing the 16 federal states.

Bonn Museum of Modern Art

Presenting modern art from the 20^th century, the main collections are ‘August Macke and the Rheinish Expressionists’ and the ‘German art after 1945’.

Museum Alexander Koenig

One of Germany’s largest and most important natural history museums, founded in 1912 by the Bonn zoologist, Alexander Koenig, the museum provides more than 3000 exhibits.

Bonn German Museum

It is the first museum for contemporary research and technology in Germany. It presents ground-breaking discoveries by Nobel prize-winners and many other top technical achievements that have taken place in Germany since 1945. Shopping in BonnChic boutiques, traditional specialist outlets, modern department stores, shopping arcades and offbeat shops are to be found throughout the city in its Bonn, Bad Godesberg and Beuel districts. Bonn’s historic center is one of Germany’s largest single pedestrian zones with narrow, shop-lined alleyways, novel boutiques and elegant department stores, traditional shops and rows of chic shops that are ideal for browsing. The various squares are bordered with cafes and pubs. A particular attraction is Bonn Market, not only because its street cafes are perfect for recharging one’s energy. Every workday, traders from the surrounding area sell fruits and vegetables, bread, cheese and meat. Trips

Rhine boat trips

From Easter to the end of October, modern steamers, like ‘Beethoven’, ‘Moby Dick’ and many others, daily cruise on the Rivers Rhine and Moselle.

‘Rhein in Flammen’-‘The Rhine in Flames’

Each year on the first Saturday in May, ‘The Rhine in Flames’ is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular and enjoyable festivals on the Rhine. Eighty illuminated ships sail from Linz to Bonn, past riverside promenades, castles and churches bathed in the glow of Bengal lights, while various hilltop fireworks displays light up the night sky. The festival ends in Bonn with an impressive 30-minute firework accompanied by live music.

Bonn- Gateway to the romantic Rhine Valley

For more than 200 years, guests from all over the world have been traveling to the romantic Rhine. Whether Goethe, Mark Twain, Casanova or William Turner- none could resist the allure of this fascinating landscape. The Siebengebirge Hills near Bonn mark the start of the most impressive section of the river valley; in the forest-covered mountains on both banks, there are still numerous castles and palaces ready to welcome today’s visitors.

Link: Authorities in Bonn

Link: Universities in Bonn

Link: Accomodation in Bonn

rathaus
Old Town Hall