Bonn
Bonn, located in the Rhine Valley among the Siebengebirge
and Eifel hills, boasts a rich history dating back over 2000
years. A city where the electoral princes used to reside
in and home to one of the most important German universities,
Bonn has not lost its small residential city charm, despite
having served as the FRG's capital during the years of Germany's
division.
In winter Bonn enjoys a temperate climate, with a little snow
and only a few days of frost. Summers are fairly warm, with
an average temperature of over 18º C in July.
Tourist attractions in this peaceful city can be found in
the government's area: the Hammerschmidt villa, the Palais
Schaumburg, the Bundeshaus (former seat of the Federal Parliament)
and the "Langen Eugen", the sky scarper housing the former
offices of deputies. In this area the monument erected in
honor of Adenauer is also to be found, in memory of the first
chancellor of Federal Germany.
The city also boasts a beautiful old quarter that is a pedestrian-only
area. Its jewel is the Münster (cathedral), one of the most
beautiful Romantic churches in the Rhine region (from the
11th to 13th Centuries) with the only well preserved cloister
dating back to that time in history situated to the north
of the Alps. The Alte Rathaus (Old Town Hall) - rococo style
- is found in the market square. In the house Ludwig van Beethoven
(1770 - 1827) was born in visitors will be able to see the
last piano ever used by the composer, as well as other other
keepsakes and items of personal property belonging to the
musical genius.
May is a month for celebrating in this city. The most important
event is the "Rhine in Flames" event, which attracts
hundreds of thousands of people to the green banks of the
Rhine. Another major festival here is the "Museum Mile
Festival" celebrated in June, opening the summer season
with noteworthy exhibitions, concerts and a lot more. In late
September, music enthusiasts get together at the International
Beethoven Festival in Bonn.
Cultural tours around Bonn are ideal activities, given that
the city's museums are the best in Germany; some of the most
important include the Bonn City Museum, where one can wander
through the halls reminiscing the city history; the Studio
Baumhaus (Tree House Studio) a school and museum of Fine Arts;
or the Academic Museum of Arts.
