What if I told you that Sechtem bears a name echoing ancient Roman footsteps? Let’s explore this historic part of Bornheim. Sechtem is a place where history whispers from the ground beneath our feet.
Sechtem’s story stretches back to Roman times. Its name possibly derives from “ad septimam leugam”. This Latin phrase means “seven leagues away”. Seven leagues from Roman Bonn. An ancient milestone, unearthed here in Sechtem, confirms this connection. Its fragmented inscription speaks of this distance. The distance wasn’t to Cologne. It was instead to Bonn during Roman times.
In the heart of Sechtem, remnants of a Roman castellum lie buried. It’s beneath the foundations of the Nikolauskapelle. Imagine Roman soldiers marching here. They were guarding this important outpost along the Roman road. This road was a vital link between Trier and Cologne. This road is known today as the Agrippa-Strasse. The Kaiserstrasse and Graue-Burg-Strasse follow a section of this ancient route. The remains of a Roman Mercury temple were discovered during renovations at the parish church. These discoveries highlight Sechtem’s Roman past.
Sechtem first appears in historical records in 1113. Over time, the village name evolved from “Sephteme” to “Sechtem”. Before secularization, Sechtem paid tithes to the Bonner Stift Dietkirchen. Grain and wine were stored in the Zehntscheune. This tithe barn stood at the Ophof. In 1984, the barn was moved and rebuilt at the Rheinische Freilichtmuseum in Kommern.
In 1844, a railway stop was built in Sechtem. It connected Cologne and Bonn. Clemens Müller, the mayor at the time, prevented the railway from running through the village center. He feared sparks from the locomotives would set fire to the thatched houses. He also worried the vibrations would cause the houses to collapse. Today, the Sechtem station is used by many commuters from the surrounding areas.
The G\u00fcterschuppen am Bahnhof is special. Built in 1848, it is the oldest preserved railway building from that era. The Eisenbahn-Amateur-Club Bonn/Sechtem e. V. renovated it between 2002 and 2009.
In 2002 and 2003, scenes from the movie “Das Wunder von Bern” were filmed in Sechtem. A replica of the Wankdorf Stadium was built. Some of the train station scenes were shot at the Sechtem DB station.
Today, Sechtem maintains its unique charm. It blends ancient history with modern life. As you explore Sechtem, remember the Romans. Remember the milestone. Remember the evolution of a village from Roman outpost to modern community. Sechtem is more than just a place on a map. It is a living testament to the layers of history that shape our world.