“What stories could this square tell?” you might wonder as you stand here on Asbergplatz. This square in Cologne is more than just a space it is a silent witness to the city’s ever-changing story.
Asbergplatz is a square in Cologne. It is a place where paths cross and stories intersect. While it may not be as famous as the Cologne Cathedral it holds its own unique charm.
The Ebertplatz is near Asbergplatz. Ebertplatz has seen eventful years and is regarded by many as an art space and a field of social tension. It is a symbol of civic involvement. The Ebertplatz has been the focus of a struggle between artists and the city. They try to revive Ebertplatz as a new urban meeting place.
You can experience the hustle and bustle of Ebertplatz at close range. Take a look at an exhibition in the art and project rooms. They have become hotspots of the alternative art scene. There is the “Labor” project gallery in the underground passages. In winter, the square is livened up by an ice rink.
The Ebertplatz has a cafe in a container. There are deck chairs in the summer as well as other seating. You can take a snapshot in the photo booth next to the restaurant. It is a retro experience.
In the 1970s the Ebertplatz was renovated and lowered. Shops were added in the passages. There is also a fountain. After many years of inactivity, the fountain started to spout again in 2018. People can walk through or play in the gushing water. Atmospheric lighting illuminates the fountain in the evening. The sculpture housing the fountain was created by the artist Wolfgang Göddertz in the 1970s. It looks a bit like clusters of oversized nails under splashing water.
Illegality and police control coexist at Ebertplatz. Reconstruction measures and redesigns are in the offing. Ebertplatz has its own railway station. Tram lines stop here.
Cologne itself is a city with a rich past. Founded by the Romans in the year 50 it has grown into a major cultural center. The inner city of Cologne was completely destroyed during World War II. The reconstruction of the city followed the style of the 1950s.
Cologne has many museums and galleries. The city is officially held to be Germany’s capital of carnivals. Cologne is home to Germany’s largest and oldest university founded in 1388.
Asbergplatz, like Cologne itself, is a place of constant change. It is a reminder that cities are living entities. They evolve and adapt. So next time you find yourself here take a moment to appreciate the stories that Asbergplatz holds.