Dating back to 927, Niehl’s story unfolds before us. This Cologne Stadtteil, or quarter, wasn’t always the industrial hub it is today. Imagine a quiet farming and fishing village. That was Niehl once upon a time.
The Kunibertstift held sway here from the 11th century. Niehl became its parish. For centuries, life revolved around agriculture and the Rhine’s bounty.
Then, in 1794, French Revolutionary troops arrived. Niehl fell under the Mairie Longerich. A few years later in 1815, Niehl became part of the Kingdom of Prussia. The transformation truly began in 1888. That was the year Niehl was officially incorporated.
The 20th century ushered in dramatic change. Large companies began settling here, marking the end of Niehl’s fishing village days. On October 28, 1929, the Ford works were founded. The automotive giant put Niehl on the map. An industrial park sprang up to supply Ford’s spare parts needs. Residential areas followed, accommodating the growing workforce.
Today, Ford Europe has its headquarters and Cologne Body & Assembly factory right here in Niehl. The district is Cologne’s most important industrial park. Cologne’s largest Rhine port is located in Niehl, facilitating the import and export of goods. Petrochemical plants, a waste incineration plant, and the Niehl cogeneration plant all contribute to the district’s economic activity.
Let’s talk about the Niehl power station. It is a significant energy provider. The Niehl power station currently operates at a capacity of at least 873 MW. It utilizes combined heat and power technology. This ensures high efficiency by producing both electricity and thermal energy. Unit 2 has a capacity of 413 MW. Unit 3 provides 460 MW. Both units are powered by natural gas. RheinEnergie AG owns and operates the Niehl power station.
Niehl also boasts a vibrant local market. Every Thursday, Waldfriedstraße transforms into a bustling marketplace. Locals gather to buy fresh produce and other goods.
Two Catholic churches stand within Niehl: St. Katharina and St. Clemens. St. Katharina is the oldest building in Niehl with a Romanesque west tower. Consecrated in 1260, St. Katharina is also called “Niehler Dömchen”. In 1747, a nicebreaker with a wall was installed on the St. Katharina church due to the flood-prone location.
Niehl cleverly combines industrial might with community spirit.