Perhaps Ippo was here. Ippo, a Frankish name echoing from the 8th century. We are now in Ippendorf, a place whose name means “village of Ippo”. This village’s story stretches back through time.
Ippendorf’s first documented mention appears in 1320. But the area’s history goes back much further. Imagine someone finding a 50,000-year-old tool here in 1959. This Moustérien double scraper, found on the Schafberg, is made of light gray flint. It is the oldest sign of Ippendorf’s history. You can now find it in Bonn’s Rhenish State Museum.
There are traces of a Neolithic ringwall at Stationsweg. Also, artifacts hint at Roman presence. Imagine the Romans, in particular a sandstone altar dedicated to the god Mercury.
By 1670, Ippendorf consisted of 29 houses. Until the late 18th century, it was part of the Electorate of Cologne. It fell under the administration of the Bonn Office.
Ippendorf has seen religious changes over time. A first chapel was likely built here in the late 18th century. The Barbara Chapel, its successor, was built in 1807. The Catholic parish church of St. Barbara was completed in 1908.
From 1816 to 1927, Ippendorf belonged to the Poppelsdorf mayoral district. It then became part of the Duisdorf office. On August 1, 1969, Ippendorf joined Bonn. Other places like Bad Godesberg were incorporated as well.
From 1973 to 2005, the Foreign Office’s training center was located in Ippendorf. This “Diplomatenschule” later moved to Berlin. In 1985, the Czechoslovakian embassy’s office building was completed here. After the embassy moved to Berlin, it housed a consulate until 2008. It was torn down in 2012.
Ippendorf is known as a desirable residential area. Many villas characterize the area. Unfortunately, a dark chapter is also part of the history of Ippendorf. In 1986, diplomat Gerold von Braunmühl was assassinated here by the RAF.
Today, Ippendorf offers various amenities. There is a Sparkasse KölnBonn branch. You can find a taxi stand here. There are also pharmacies and a supermarket. Several smaller shops contribute to the village feel. Two kindergartens and a primary school serve the local families. You can also enjoy food in a traditional restaurant.
Nature is close by in Ippendorf. The Katzenlochbachtal nature reserve borders the residential area. This valley stretches for seven kilometers. Wildcat were native here until the mid-20th century. Now, they may return from the Kottenforst.
The Katzenlochbachtal features alder forests and springs. Protected bird species live here. These include nightingales and kingfishers. Badgers, martens, and amphibians also call this area home. The Katzenlochbachtal has been a nature reserve since 1999.
Since 2000, the Katzenlochbachtal is part of the Kottenforst bird sanctuary. Volunteers help maintain the area. The “Lengsdorfer Bachfreunde” care for the orchards. They plant local trees with help from the city forestry office. Ippendorf offers a blend of history, nature, and modern life. It is a village with a story to tell.