Ever wondered about the intriguing name Olivandenhof? Right here in Cologne’s Altstadt-Nord stands this remarkable building. Its story stretches back centuries. It began not as a shopping center but as a humble dwelling. Records from 1286 mention a “domus ad olvont” on this very spot. The exact meaning of “Olivandenhof” remains a mystery. Some believe it refers to an elephant. In Low German an elephant is called “Olivant”. Others point to a camel. The building changed hands. In 1291 the Beguines Johann von der Griechenpforte and Jakob von Schlebusch bought it. They called it “Haus zur Olvunde”. Later the name evolved. It became “Olivanden”.
For centuries Olivandenhof housed a beguine convent. Around 1311 the brothers “zur Olvhunde” settled here. By 1550 only one brother remained. In 1589 Franciscan Observants took over. They established a convent and a chapel called “Portiuncula-Capell”. These Observants were stricter than the Minorites at the nearby church. They lived a more austere life adhering to a stricter interpretation of the vow of poverty.
Secularization during the Napoleonic era ended the convent in 1802. The buildings served as veteran housing. Then they were converted into a grain store. Later they were used as a barracks. By 1910 the old buildings were demolished to make way for the Zeppelinstraße. In 1913 a new Olivandenhof was built. It was a stylish building designed by Hermann Eberhard Pflaume Jr.
After World War II only fragments remained. The Möbelhaus May repurposed them. In 1986 Hentrich Petschnigg & Partner redesigned the Olivandenhof. It reopened in 1988 as a shopping center. The modern Olivandenhof features a glass dome and an oval atrium. Twelve escalators connected the four floors. This was Cologne’s smallest shopping mall. It housed 46 shops and restaurants. A unique pedestrian bridge connected it to the Karstadt department store. It was the first of its kind in Germany.
Further renovations took place between 1998 and 2006. The Olivandenhof was transformed again. It became Europe’s largest outdoor equipment store. This was a huge undertaking. All escalators were removed. A grand staircase with jungle sounds was installed. The atrium was redesigned and converted into a pool for testing water sports equipment. A climbing wall a rain and cold chamber and a diving pool turned it into an adventure experience.
Today Olivandenhof still stands. It’s a testament to Cologne’s rich history. Its evolution from a medieval convent to a modern shopping center to an adventure-based retail space reflects the city’s constant change.