Private tour: Bonn Republic - Former government district
Description
How did the “Bonn Republic” come about? Everyone knows that Bonn was once the capital. But how did it happen? Why this small, tranquil town on the Rhine and not the pulsating metropolis of Berlin? The Basic Law is drawn up in Bonn: After the end of World War II, Germany's cities lay in ruins. In Bonn, which got off comparatively lightly, attempts are being made cautiously to breathe new life into the ideologically and structurally destroyed country with a modern constitution and freely elected representatives. Bonn becomes the seat of government: But not only the constitution for post-war Germany was born in Bonn. Bonn also receives the provisional seat of government. The "Bonn Republic" is born. The tour starts at the Museum Koenig and leads along the Adenauerallee, past the Federal Press Office to today's United Nations Square. The final stop is the Bundesbüdchen with a view of the high-rise buildings "Langer Eugen" and the Post Tower, which are characteristic of Bonn.
Tour Options
Itinerary
From the foyer of the museum we take a look into the former "Light Hall", which was converted in 1948 for the opening ceremony of the Parliamentary Council. For this purpose, all animal exhibits had to be removed from the hall, but the giraffe turned out to be too big for the exit.
In the distance you can see the residence of the first Federal President, Theodor Heuss. The aesthetic villa from the 19th century served as the first official residence of the Federal President until reunification. Since then, after Bellevue Palace in Berlin, it has continued to be an official second home.
Hidden behind fences and building barriers is Palais Schaumburg, another Wilhelminian villa, Konrad Adenauer's first chancellery. Since this address has been renovated since 2013, pictures of the building and its history are shown to compensate.
The larger-than-life head of Konrad Adenauer on Bundeskanzlerplatz won an artist competition in the 1980s because of its innovative design. As a photo motif, it invites you to stand next to the statesman "at eye level".
The building of today's ministry was originally built as a new chancellery for Helmut Schmidt. The spacious grounds are presented in the style of the 1970s with a modern sculpture in its inner courtyard.
In the architectural heart of the Bonn Republic is the Bundeshaus, a building complex that contained the former Bundesrat and Bundestag. With the construction of the new plenary hall and the World Conference Center, this campus changed into an international workplace.
The former kiosk of Konrad Adenauer, Helmut Kohl, Gerhard Schröder and Joschka Fischer is structurally unchanged and nevertheless in a new location. After the Büdchen had to give way to the Marriott Hotel and be transferred "in one piece" to a Bornheimer forwarding agency, it was allowed to return to the site in its entirety in 2020. The owner won a legal dispute with the city of Bonn and can therefore continue to offer his range of newspapers, sausages and coffee. A fitting final stop for the tour.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Dogs are not allowed on this tour.
- Simultaneous interpretation is not allowed on this tour.
- Not suitable for participants under 18 years
Reviews(5)
I myself come from the Bonn area. For my acquaintances, it was a very professionally conducted tour with a lot of background information. A big compliment to our guide.
The tour guide was punctual, well prepared and entertaining. Unfortunately, the first part of the Natural History Museum König turned out to be very long-winded - with 45 minutes, so the tour was extended to more than 2 hours without asking. Although the booking description states that admission to Villa Hammerschmidt, Palais Schaumburg, etc. is free, it was not possible to enter the interior of a building even once. We hoped that the Federal Chancellery, which has only been open to visitors since November 2025, would be able to visit again. At our inquiry it was said that one had to make an effort here at the House of History (with at least a year waiting) and this was not part of this tour. Overall disappointing.
