Bonn
Known as the “University City,” historical Bonn is now part of the Rhine-Ruhr German metropolitan area, one of the 11 metropolitan divisions of unified Germany, which was used for political and economic planning purposes. Other cities of this metropolitan grouping include Cologne, Dortmound, Düsseldorf, Essen and Duisburg.
The city of Bonn plays an important role in the shaping and re-shaping of Germany's political history. As the capital city and seat of political power in the former West Germany before the 1990 unification with East Germany, Bonn enjoyed recognition as the melting pot of money, power and influence.
Today, it sustained that importance, as many government institutions tranferred their headquarters from
Berlin to Bonn, including the offices of the two houses of Bundestag (the German National Parliament)
and the political residence of the Bundespräsident (the German Head of State). In recognition of its political relevance, Bonn is accorded the status of a Bundesstadt or Federal City.
Today, Bonn is a vital place in global peacekeeping efforts as it plays host to 16 important institutions of the United Nations, including the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change), UNCCD (United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification) and the Rio Conventions, apart from other international cooperation organizations. These institutions are hubbed in the city's rapidly growing United Nations Campus located along the banks of the Rhine river.
CITY ATTRACTIONS
Bonn remains a popular city to visit in Germany. Aside from marvelling at its political legacies and new structures of international significance, the city is home to many sites of wonder, mystique, intrigue and legacy.
Bonngasse 20, Beethoven's Birthplace - The attic of a three-room house in this compound was the birthplace of famous musical legend Ludwig Van Beethoven. The house is now a major attraction of the city. It is now converted into a museum, housing the most extensive collection of authentic Beethoven memorabilia in the world.
Old Town Hall - Built in 1737, the Rococo style structure, adjacent to the old marketplace, is the center of old city politics, serving as the Office of the Mayor and temporary residence for Bonn's VIP visitors.
Kurfürstliches Schloss - A structure that was part of the University of Bonn, it used to be the home of the West German Prince-Elector in the 18th century.
Poppelsdorfer Schloss - A palace adjacent to the Kurfürstliches Schloss, which serves as a resort haven for the German Prince-elector.
Burgruine Windeck Fortress Ruins - Located in Verkehrsverein Windecker Ländchen e.V.Rathausstraße 12, D-51570 Windeck-Rosbach, this fortress is now classified as a historical monument. It used to serve as protective barrier of the Earl von Berg against political enemies. Restorations and preservation of this site was carried out in the 1960s up to the 1980s. The original ground plan found during an archeological activity here reveals the grandness of the original fortress.
Modern city attractions include the United Nations Campus located in the former parliament house Langer Uegen which stands at 114.5 meters; the radio mast of the WDR radio station in Bonn-Venusburg, which stands at 180 meters; and the Deutshe Post Tower in the Bundesviertel (federal quarters) which stands at 162.5 meters. These three structures are considered as the three highest structures erected in Bonn today.
