Wondering where the name Merheim comes from? It likely derives from “Mar” or “Mer”. This refers to a swampy area. Think of the groundwater seeping through the lower terrace. The ending “-heim” suggests it was founded in the 6th century. Locals often call it “Merrem”.
Merheim’s story starts way back. The first official mention was in 1003. Archbishop Heribert of Cologne gifted three estates to the Peterstift in Cologne. One of these estates was in Merheim.
Here in Merheim, you see traces of old farmsteads. The knight Johann von Merheim lived here in 1353. He came from the Lords of Löwenburg, a branch of Sponheim-Heinsberg family. Around 1350, Dirk von Merheim married Maria von Randerode. Through this marriage, he acquired Boxtel in the Netherlands and Stapelen Castle.
Much of the Merheim estate had to be rebuilt in the 17th century. This was due to disrepair and destruction. Today, it includes the Fronhof and a church with a parsonage. There is also a Küsterhaus and a large public garden. The manor house isn’t open to the public. But you can rent rooms for private events. Clemens Freiherr von Eltz-Rübenach acquired the Fronhof in 1840. Now, the estate houses private apartments.
Let’s talk about Merheim’s political past. The French established the Mairie of Merheim in 1808. This was during their occupation of the Rhineland. It later became part of the district of Mülheim. The Mairie included Brück, Dellbrück and other places.
After the French left in 1813, the area became part of Prussia in 1815. The administrative seat was initially the mayor’s residence. By the mid-19th century, it was Holweide. A town hall was built there in 1900. Merheim was incorporated into Cologne in 1914.
Merheim prospered under Prussian rule with its free trade zone. A saying from that era states: “Merheim and Hand are the richest municipalities in Bergisches Land”. To avoid confusion with another Merheim on the left bank, that one was renamed Weidenpesch in 1952.
The original heart of Merheim was around St. Gereon Church. This area is between Fußfallstraße and Abshofstraße. The mayor’s office was also located here. Rüdigerstraße once had a large cattle market. The market inn still stands. Built in 1665, it’s Cologne’s oldest inn on the right bank. Since 1937, it’s been called “Em ahle Kohberg”. This name comes from a song by Willi Ostermann.
In 1906, Merheim got its own train station. This was thanks to the construction of the suburban railway. This made the southern part of Merheim more attractive. The Wilhem Josef Krauss machine factory was founded here in 1910. Later, the Schwarze company followed. The Merheimer Heide was created in 1929. This is a large public park. The construction of the A3 highway in the 1930s reduced its size. However, bridges still connected it to Merheim. The town center gradually shifted towards Olpener Straße.
After World War II, the pharmaceutical company Dr. Madaus & Co relocated here. Their old site in Radebeul had been seized by the Soviets. The Klinikum Köln-Merheim was built on the former Ostheim airfield.
The Goldenen Pflug restaurant, opened in 1937. Herbert Schönberner earned it three Michelin stars in 1982.
The construction of the A4 highway in the 1970s somewhat separated the northern part of Merheim. Former gravel pits were filled with waste. A combined heat and power plant was built on this land. Also, the Merheim depot of the Kölner Verkehrsbetriebe. The construction of the tram depot was difficult. The ground was unstable.
The Madaus AG moved away in 1998. In the 2010s, the Merheimer Gärten residential area was built on the former industrial site.
Today, Merheim is known for its mix of old and new. The Fronhof, St. Gereon Church and “Em ahle Kohberg” are popular sights. The Merheimer Heide offers green space for recreation. The Klinikum Köln-Merheim is an important medical facility.