Imagine being encircled by a forest that has silently stood guard over Bonn for over a thousand years. This is Kottenforst. It spans about 40 square kilometers south, west, and north of Bonn. Kottenforst is the eastern side of the Rhineland Nature Park.
Its story stretches back to 973 when Emperor Otto II confirmed hunting rights. He granted deforestation rights to the archbishops of Cologne. The boundaries outlined then are still roughly valid. The name Kottenforst comes from Celtic roots. “Kotten” meant forest area. “Forst” in the Middle Ages described uninhabited forests.
Picture this: it’s the 18th century. Electoral Prince Clemens August loved designing gardens and forests. He had Kottenforst systematically surveyed. He built a new path system with his hunting lodge “Herzogsfreude” at the center. He loved “par force” hunting. Packs of dogs chased game to specific spots. There, hunters shot them. Avenues and old crossings still remind us of Clemens August’s hunting parties.
But the forest’s story includes hard times. The French Revolutionary army invaded in 1794. To mark the end of Electoral rule, they had a last hunt. The game was given to Bonn’s citizens. This hunt wiped out Kottenforst’s red deer.
In 1815, Prussia took over and reorganized forestry. They replanted with deciduous trees and conifers. This supported the start of industrialization.
Think about the 20th century. People sought recreation in the Kottenforst nature park. They wanted to escape city noise and stress. Since 1989, the “Haus der Natur” has taught them about the forest habitat.
Consider the “beheaded” beech trees. People once grazed cattle here. The animals ate young shoots. People cut beeches high up. New branches grew beyond the animals’ reach. These branches were cut for firewood. The trees developed thick, spooky stems.
Also remember Hans Carl von Carlowitz. He was a mining officer who wrote about sustainability. He urged using only as much wood as grows back. This principle is key to modern forestry.
Today, Kottenforst is a protected area. It is home to endangered species. These include middle-spotted, grey-headed, and black woodpeckers. The Kottenforst belongs to the Natura 2000 network. It protects habitats for flora and fauna.
Kottenforst has seen emperors, revolutionaries, and everyday citizens seeking peace. Walking through it lets you touch a thousand years of history and nature.