Was it truly a sign of friendship? The Belgisches Haus stands here as a testament to post-war reconciliation. This building is more than just bricks and mortar. It embodies a bridge between cultures.
The Belgisches Haus opened in February 1950. It was the first foreign cultural institute in Cologne after World War II. Some say the Americans wanted to strengthen ties between neighboring countries.
The five-story building has a striking tuff facade. Johannes Schüller, a Cologne architect, designed it. Hans Hansen, an interior architect and artist, created the interior. Black marble, cast-iron railings, and wood-paneled rooms added elegance. A chamber music hall and library completed the ensemble.
The Belgisches Haus was home to more than just culture. The German-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce moved here in 1952. Economic and trade representatives from Wallonia, Flanders, and Brussels also found a home here. The Belgian Consulate had offices here too. These included the information, culture, and trade departments.
However, times changed. In 2015, the Belgian government decided to cut costs. Many consulates closed worldwide, including the one here. The institutions within the Belgisches Haus moved out. The German Cultural Council put the Belgisches Haus on the Red List. It was classified as “endangered” due to the uncertain future.
But the story of the Belgisches Haus didn’t end there. In January 2015, friends of the Belgisches Haus formed an association. They wanted to maintain cultural exchange between Belgium and Germany. Their goal was to preserve the Belgisches Haus as a cultural meeting place.
Since 2019, the Römisch-Germanisches Museum has used the Belgisches Haus as temporary quarters. This happened during the museum’s renovation. Even during renovations, cultural events take place in the restored hall.
The Belgisches Haus continues to be a venue for events. It serves as an interim space for the Römisch-Germanisches Museum. The association “Friends of the Belgisches Haus” works to preserve it. They aim to keep it a place for German-Belgian cultural exchange.
The library of the Belgisches Haus found a new home in 2016. Over 5,000 volumes were donated to the Cologne University and State Library. This ensured that a piece of Belgian post-war history remains in Cologne. The building itself is a protected monument since September 7, 1990. The Belgisches Haus remains a symbol of friendship and cultural exchange. It links Cologne to its Belgian neighbors.