Doesn’t the name Strunde sound like something ancient? The Strunde is a river in North Rhine-Westphalia. It flows through Bergisch Gladbach. Eventually, it joins the Flehbach or Faulbach near Cologne-Buchheim.
But wait, there’s more to the Strunde than just its route. This little river was once a major player in the region’s industrial story. During the industrial revolution, the Strunde was an important source of water and power. Its water drove mills and factories.
Let’s jump back in time. Imagine the sound of water wheels turning. Picture the hustle of paper mills along the Strunde. For Bergisch Gladbach, the Strunde was synonymous with paper production. The Zanders paper factory is a testament to this heritage. Even today, the Papiermuseum Alte Dombach shows how paper was made along the Strunde.
Did you know the source of the Strunde is a karst spring northeast of the Herrenstrunden parish church? Bubbles rise from below marking the water’s exit. This spring provides about 50 liters per second. At times, it can gush up to 830 liters per second.
The Strunde’s journey continues southwest towards the Rhine. It flows through Bergisch Gladbach. Parts of the river run underground. However, some sections in Bergisch Gladbach’s city center have been uncovered. Here, a portion of the water flows through the former Umbach bed. The Umbach once supplied water to the paper factories. The Strunde mostly flows openly in its old bed from Richard-Zanders-Straße onward.
Moving westward, the Strunde enters Cologne’s city area. It crosses through Dellbrück and Holweide. Just after crossing the A3, it flows into the Faulbach.
Here’s an interesting fact. Hollow willows line the Strunde’s banks. These willows lend their name to Cologne’s Holweide district. Woven willow work once stabilized the banks. You can still see some of this willow work today.
To power more mills, the Strunde was directed over the Faulbach via a small aqueduct near Gut Schlagbaum. Gut Schlagbaum marked the border between Cologne and Berg.
Heavy rainfall in the 2000s caused floods in Bergisch Gladbach. The Strunde’s canalization couldn’t handle the volume. This led to construction of rainwater retention basins.
Today, you can explore the Strunde along marked cycling and hiking trails. One route follows the river from the Rhine to its source. In Bergisch Gladbach, efforts are underway to uncover more of the Strunde. This is combined with flood protection and wastewater projects. The Strunde is part of the Strunde hoch vier construction project.
The Strunde tells a story of industry and adaptation. From its source to its confluence with the Faulbach, the Strunde has shaped the landscape. It has powered industry and given its name to neighborhoods.