Eltzhof

Did the air always buzz with anticipation around Eltzhof? I wonder what stories these walls could tell. Eltzhof isn’t just a building. It’s a time capsule resting in Cologne-Wahn. It began as part of the Schloss Wahn estate. Originally it served the castle’s agricultural needs. The name “Eltzhof” has echoed through time since 1835. Before that, it was known as “Paulshof,” first mentioned in a document from 1735. The Eltz family’s connection to this land began through marriage. They transformed the Paulshof into the Eltzhof we know today. The buildings here cluster around a large courtyard, a silent testament to generations past. The two-story main house dates back to around 1830. Later additions include the worker’s houses from 1855. A barn and cowshed were built in 1880. A blacksmith’s shop appeared in 1850. A pigsty followed in 1865. Finally, stables arrived around 1910. After World War II, the Cologne Chamber of Agriculture used Eltzhof. They conducted research on seed propagation, soil improvement, and pest control. Restoration work on the south wing, focusing on the facade, roof, and windows, took place in 1989 and 1990. Then, in 2004, the lease with the Chamber of Agriculture ended, marking a new chapter for Eltzhof. The Eltz-Rübenach family chose to revitalize their ancestral home. Their goal was to create a cultural and social hub. They envisioned Eltzhof and Schloss Wahn as a unified entity. Working with artist Roland Kulik, they planned to host cultural events and celebrations. Collaborating with Cologne’s historical preservation authority, they began renovations in 2004. Today, Eltzhof houses a 450-seat theater. The former worker’s quarters now contain a brewery restaurant and beer garden run by the Kölner Dom-Brauerei. The cobblestone courtyard provides a space for open-air events.