#45 Anno II – The great Builder and City Ruler of the 11th century

Why did Anno II gouge out the eyes of all his jurymen in Cologne, according to legend? In the second half of the 11th century, Anno II ruled over the city of Cologne. With a lively building activity in the city, he is immortalized in the cityscape to this day. Also art, culture and trade prospered under his rule. And the veneration of St. George … Continue reading #45 Anno II – The great Builder and City Ruler of the 11th century

#44 The Coup of Kaiserswerth

A man from the lower nobility of southern Germany becomes Archbishop of Cologne, crushes the power of the Ezzones in the Rhineland and kidnaps the ruler of the Holy Roman Empire: Anno II. is a man that is truly not forgotten in Cologne to this day. The year is 1062: the young king of the Holy Roman Empire, Henry IV, a teenager, is celebrating a … Continue reading #44 The Coup of Kaiserswerth

#43 The Rise and Fall of the Ezzonids or How a single family dominated Cologne in the 11th century

The noble family of the Ezzones was at the height of power in the 11th century. The namesake and Count Palatine of Lorraine named Ezzo had already attained an almost ducal position on the Rhine around the year 1000. How had he managed this? It was, as so often in life, the circumstance of having the right connections and the right nose. Ezzo had successfully … Continue reading #43 The Rise and Fall of the Ezzonids or How a single family dominated Cologne in the 11th century

#42 A Day in Court at Cologne Cathedral in the 11th century – An Ugly Archbishop and the Beauty of the Cologne Penny

Cologne in the 11th century: We look around a bit in the area of Cologne Cathedral, where the Archbishop’s palace is located, the monastery and on the square itself, where court hearings took place. Domhof (Cathedral Courtyard) & Domkloster (Cathedral Convent) Yes, this maps is a few centuries later, the 16th century so to speak, but the medieval structure of the city was still there … Continue reading #42 A Day in Court at Cologne Cathedral in the 11th century – An Ugly Archbishop and the Beauty of the Cologne Penny

#41 The Barefoot Shepherd: St. Heribert – A Medieval Crisis Manager of the 11th Century fights Famines and Founder of Deutz Abbey

Heribert was around the year 1000 AD at the pinnacle of power as Chancellor of the Holy Roman Empire – but then he was suddenly deposed: but this was a stroke of luck for Cologne. Heribert is also one of the most important medieval archbishops in the history of Cologne and here you can find out why this 11th century imperial prince is so significant … Continue reading #41 The Barefoot Shepherd: St. Heribert – A Medieval Crisis Manager of the 11th Century fights Famines and Founder of Deutz Abbey

#40 The Year 1000 AD – Cologne at the turn of the millennium

Cologne in the Year 1000 AD. This year was a year like many others. But let’s take advantage of the beginning of the new millennium to discover the city on foot again. We explore the old city on the Rhine in the year 1,000. What characteristics can be found here? Let’s find out together! Kunibertsstift (Monastery of Kunibert) The Kunibert Monastery in the late medieval … Continue reading #40 The Year 1000 AD – Cologne at the turn of the millennium