“A beacon of peace,” whispered an elderly woman, her eyes reflecting the stained-glass windows of the Friedenskirche. “That’s what they called it after the wars.” The Friedenskirche, here in Cologne’s Ehrenfeld district, has seen a lot in its time. Originally built in 1876 as a simple hall church, it bore witness to the tumultuous 20th century. The Friedenskirche wasn’t always known by that name. In the aftermath of World War II, during which it suffered damage, the church was rebuilt and renamed “Friedenskirche,” the “Peace Church.” This resonated with the community’s yearning for healing and peace. The church’s interior, redesigned in the 1970s, reflects this sentiment. You can see it in the beautiful stained-glass windows, modern interpretations by Willi Briant that replaced those destroyed during the war. The church’s two-manual organ, a 1955 Willi Peter, adds another layer of history. The Friedenskirche stands as a testament to Ehrenfeld’s resilience and its enduring hope for a peaceful future.
Skulpturenpark Stammheim
A golden winged pug surveys the Rhine. That’s how many remember the Skulpturenpark Stammheim. This isn’t just any park. It’s