Deep in the Rhein-Sieg-Kreis, Impekoven awaits. It is a place where history whispers from every corner. Impekoven is a part of Alfter.
Let’s step back in time. The year is 1171. Impekoven appears in records as “Emmehoven”. The Convent of Holy Virgins from Cologne acquired a mill. It was on the Hardtbach.
Fast forward to 1275. The chapter of St. Cassius in Bonn bought the rights to the tithes. Wine cultivation marked Impekoven in 1323. A document mentions it specifically. By 1449, a register noted 19 houses across Impekoven, Nettekoven, and Ramelshoven. The area included 173.75 hectares of farmland. Plus 22.75 hectares of vineyards.
The Thirty Years’ War hit Impekoven hard. Swedish troops arrived in January 1633. Battles destroyed and plundered the village.
In 1815, the Prussian district of Cologne was formed. Impekoven became part of the Oedekoven mayoralty. A chapel existed in Impekoven around 1650. It was a timber-framed building. It was first documented in 1826.
This chapel was torn down in 1889. A school opened in Impekoven on January 2, 1872. A new chapel was consecrated on July 2, 1887. Lightning damaged it days later. The second chapel was also demolished in 1968. St. Maria Heimsuchung church stands there now.
Impekoven got electricity in 1898. Water pipes were installed around 1904. On August 1, 1969, Impekoven joined Alfter. This included Nettekoven and Ramelshoven. Karl Schumann was Impekoven’s last mayor.
In 1713, Impekoven had 102 residents. By 1808, the population was 194. It grew to 259 by 1828. Of those, 173 lived in Impekoven. Nettekoven had 37. Ramelshoven had 49. The population dropped to 242 by 1881. Impekoven had 167 residents, Nettekoven 23, and Ramelshoven 52. On July 1, 1901, Impekoven had 157 residents. Nettekoven had 51 and Ramelshoven 38. Since 2000, the population has risen. New buildings and the proximity to Bonn drive this.
Impekoven connects via Kreisstraße 12. Bundesstraße 56 runs through Nettekoven. This links Impekoven to the road network. A railway line opened on June 7, 1880. A stop was named “Witterschlick”. It was renamed “Impekoven” in 1903. It closed in 1979. A new stop, “Alfter-Impekoven”, opened on December 14, 2014. It serves the Voreifelbahn S 23.
Buses serve Impekoven too. Lines 843 and N9 pass through. Nettekoven is served by lines 800 and 845. These buses connect to Meckenheim, Rheinbach, and Bonn.
Heinrich Alef, mayor of Bad Godesberg, was born in Impekoven. Hans Schneider, a zoologist, lived here. Johannes Wilde, a politician, resided in Impekoven. Waldemar Feldes, a Flottillenadmiral, lived here too.
Today, Impekoven is a vibrant community. It blends history with modern life. As you wander through Impekoven, remember its past. From mills to modern transport, Impekoven has a rich story.