Have you ever walked among ancient secrets? The Königsforst whispers tales of centuries past. Right before you lies this expansive forest a sprawling 2519 hectares east of Cologne. It’s part of the Bergische Heideterrasse a unique geological formation. The Königsforst isn’t just any forest. It’s a designated bird sanctuary and a FFH area a testament to its ecological importance. Parts of this woodland are also protected as nature reserves both within Cologne and the neighboring Rhein-Berg district.
Imagine the Königsforst in the Iron Age. Numerous burial mounds between Cologne-Rath and Forsbach reveal evidence of a settlement. These mounds belong to the Hallstatt culture dating back to the 6th and 7th centuries BC. After extensive excavations around 50 years ago the mounds are barely visible today. Their treasures however are preserved in the Roman-Germanic Museum.
Originally the Königsforst was a sacred forest a royal preserve belonging to the Frankish kings. In the 10th century Emperor Otto the Great gifted it to his brother Bruno Archbishop of Cologne. The first documented mention dates back to 1003 AD when Archbishop Heribert of Cologne bequeathed a quarter of the Königsforst to the Deutz monastery. Two more quarters belonged to the Cologne monastery of St Pantaleon. The last quarter remained with Archbishop Bruno.
By the 12th century the Counts of Berg increasingly controlled the area. Old castles and knightly seats in Bensberg Refrath and Forsbach bear witness to their influence. These were initially built on the forest’s fringes. The Dukes of Berg used the forest as a hunting ground. The enormous population of red deer that hindered forest regeneration and devastated farmland was reduced in 1790. Around 4000 deer were culled that year.
After secularization the Königsforst which had been under church ownership passed into the state’s possession. During the Napoleonic occupation the forest was almost devastated. Strong oaks were felled and shipped to France as timber. The 1815 Congress of Vienna made the “Royal Forest Königsforst” Prussian. A systematic reforestation program began primarily with non-native pines. This continued for a long time even extending to agricultural land like the Schwiegelshohn estate.
In World War II the Königsforst served as a military training ground. It was largely off-limits to the public. A munitions factory was located on the site of today’s children’s village. A rail track connected it to the Bensberg train station on the Cologne-Mülheim-Lindlar line. Even today you can still find remnants of the past. Concrete walls of former bunkers and foundations of the airbase’s signal installations remain in the forest.
Today the Königsforst remains a popular recreation area for hiking running cycling and horseback riding. A well-developed network of marked trails including a section of the Jakobsweg offers diverse options. The Königsforst invites you to discover its rich history its diverse flora and fauna and its peaceful atmosphere. This is a place where history nature and recreation blend together seamlessly offering a unique experience for everyone.