Ever wondered how a small village transformed into a vibrant part of Cologne? Let’s uncover the story of Brück.
Brück sits on the right bank of the Rhine. It is part of the Kalk district. This area, bordering the Bergisches Land, has a unique past.
Imagine Brück centuries ago. Two old trade routes crossed here: the Mauspfad and Brüderstraße. The first mention of Brück was in 1166. Altenberg Abbey owned a farm here then. Count Adolf V acquired it in 1270. Since the Middle Ages, Brück belonged to Merheim within the Bergisches Amt Porz. A customs station was noted in Brück in 1411. It was leased to local families. A hospital for the poor was established in 1437. Duke Gerhard II built a chapel in 1444.
In 1806, the Grand Duchy of Berg was formed. A new administration, based on the French model, followed in 1808. From 1815, Brück belonged to the Mayor’s Office of Merheim. The Hubertus Chapel was rebuilt in 1864.
The year 1906 marked a turning point. A small train connected Brück to Cologne. This line extended to Bensberg by 1913. In 1914, Brück joined Cologne. The district saw considerable construction. Settlements arose on the Klausenberg between 1925 and 1940. The Gräfenhof settlement was built between 1947 and 1949. In 1965, the Konrad-Adenauer-Siedlung was initiated. This area in western Brück led to the creation of Neubrück in 1992.
Brück has a rich religious history too. In 1708, a chapel was built by the elector. It honored Saint Anthony. From 1716, it became the Hubertus Chapel. Rebuilt in 1864, it served as a Catholic parish church from 1889. The Catholic St Hubertus Church was built in 1930 and 1931. Brück now belongs to the parish of Brück and Merheim. The Johanneskirche, was built in 1936 and 1937. Today, it is part of the Evangelical Church Community of Cologne-Brück-Merheim.
Today, Brück offers numerous facilities. These include the Cologne volunteer fire brigade. There are also nursing homes like St Vinzenzhaus and Matthias-Claudius-Heim. Several kindergartens serve the community. These are the Waldorf daycare center and St Hubertus Catholic Kindergarten. Schools include the community primary school and Käthe Kollwitz secondary school.
Clubs thrive in Brück. The Community of Cologne-Brück is active in youth work. The Workshop for Local History explores the area’s past. The Carnival Society organizes carnival activities. The IG Brück unites local businesses. SC Brück 07 is a football club. People in Brück really enjoy playing soccer.
Keep an eye out for architectural monuments. There are many on Am Klausenberg and Olpener Straße. These landmarks reflect Brück’s long history.
From its humble beginnings as a farming village to its modern identity, Brück has transformed. It has grown into a residential area with a strong community spirit. Its history is visible in its landmarks and active local organizations. Brück is a testament to Cologne’s diverse and evolving character.