The Stammheim castle, a grand structure, once stood proudly right where this idyllic park now lies. This quiet and peaceful place has a rich history that echoes from centuries past.
The name “Stammheim” hints at the castle’s royal origin. It’s believed that there was once a royal estate, known as a “Stammgut”, in this very spot. The first written record of Stammheim dates back to 959 when Archbishop Bruno of Cologne gifted the estate to the Groß St. Martin monastery in Cologne.
After the knightly family of Stammheim went extinct in the 17th century, the Fürstenberg-Neheim family purchased the estate in 1818 and rebuilt it. They even created a beautiful park with a picturesque Linden avenue and a lookout point from which they could observe the construction of the Cologne Cathedral. It was this very Fürstenberg family who contributed significantly to the cathedral’s progress. Franz Egon von Fürstenberg-Stammheim was even declared an honorary citizen of Cologne in 1856 for his support of the iconic landmark. The estate, sadly, met a tragic end in 1944 during a bombing raid and was completely destroyed.
Today, the original estate is only a memory, replaced by a charming park and the Ulrich-Haberland-Haus an old people’s home, built on its grounds. While the majestic castle no longer stands, the park serves as a reminder of its magnificent past. It’s a place for families and friends to relax, enjoy the fresh air, and perhaps imagine the bustling life that once filled this space. The park’s entrance welcomes you with its stunning renovation – it now features two magnificent stone lions that seem to gaze eternally, guarding the memory of the past.