Bonn Travel Guide
COMPARE PRICES on all Bonn Hotels
Compare prices and availability on major travel sites with one click
COMPARE PRICES on all Flights to Bonn
Compare prices and availability on major travel sites with one click
72km (45 miles) S of Düsseldorf, 27km (17 miles) S of Cologne, 174km (108 miles) NW of Frankfurt
Until 1949, Bonn was a sleepy little university town, basking in its 2,000 years of history. Then suddenly it was shaken out of this quiet life and made capital of the Federal Republic of Germany. But in 1991, after the reunification of Germany, Berlin again became the official capital.
Although Bonn will continue to function as a smaller "second capital," no other cities stand to lose as much, especially in terms of prestige and political influence. Six of the major 15 departments of the German government, including the Defense Ministry, will remain here, although they will also have smaller offices in Berlin.
From the 13th century through the 18th century, Bonn was the capital of the prince-electors of Cologne, who had the right to participate in the election of the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. The city is also proud of its intellectual and musical history -- Beethoven was born here; composer Robert Schumann and his wife, pianist Clara Schumann, lived here; and Karl Marx and Heinrich Heine studied in Bonn's university. Bonn's latest cultural addition is the "Museum Mile," which includes the Bundeskunsthalle (Federal Art and Exhibition Hall) and the Kunstmuseum (Art Museum).
Bonn is also within sight of the Siebenbirge (Seven Mountains), a volcanic mountain range rising up on the eastern bank of the Rhine. The entire range is today a national park. The local wine produced on these slopes is known as Drachenblut (Dragon's Blood), and is better than most German reds.
