Bonn was the former capital of the Federal Republic of Germany (previously, West Germany) and lies on the river Rhine some 20 km south of Cologne. The city remains a popular choice for large-scale exhibitions and conferences. Bonn is best known culturally as the birthplace of Ludwig van Beethoven. Population 315,000.

After the Romans left the town had a very tumultuous history. Bonn has been destroyed and pummeled on so many occasions that it nearly became a pastime. Norman invaders were the first to burn the town to the ground in 881 and again in 892. In 1198 King Philip of Swabia and Duke Heinrich von Brabant layed siege to Bonn. In 1244 Konrad von Hochstaden, archbishop of Cologne ordered Bonn to be fortified. The reasons for fortrification may have been for the Archbishop's protection as he had apparently begun fighting with Cologne's leaders and often resided in Bonn after the dispute. In 1288 under Sigfried II von Westerburg the archbishopric was transferred from Cologne to Bonn, which has since been transfered back to Cologne.

In 1582 Archbishop Gebhard Truchsess von Waldburg converted to Calvinism and refused to give up his position as elector. In February of 1583 Waldburg married and was in April of the same year excommunicated by Pope Gregory XIII. After the Truschessian War Gebhard fled to Strassbourg, but not before Bonn felt the rapture of Bavarian troops, who blew up the Godesberg (the archbishop's residence) with 1,500 pounds of gun powder. While the town survived the Thirty Years war Bonn was completely destroyed in 1689 as a result of the War of the Grand Alliance.

In December 1770 Bonn's most famous son, Ludwig van Beethoven, was born on Bonngasse. Bonn is probably best known as Beethoven's birth place and this fact is well advertised by the city despite Beethoven's vehement disgust towards his hometown. Beethoven spent some time in Vienna hoping to study with Mozart, but after his mother's death he was forced to return to Bonn for five years to raise his two younger brothers since his alcoholic father was unable to. In 1792 Beethoven returned to Vienna never to have returned to Bonn. 

Local Attractions:

• Das Bonner Münster, Gerhard-von-Are Straße 5 +49 (0)228 / 98 588 - 0 (pfarrbuero@bonner-muenster.de). Hours: Church: 7:00 - 19:00. Cloister: 9:00 - 17:00. A beautiful basilica, in Bonn's city center. Only Bonn Information or the Bonner Münster Foundation are permitted to arrange guided tours to the basilica. The "Bonn Information" organization can arrange for non-German tours.
• Kreuzbergkirche, Stationsweg 21 (info@kreuzberg-bonn.de). In summer: 09:00 AM – 18:00 PM. In winter: 09:00 AM – 17:00 PM. Visit of the Holy Staircase: 09:00 AM – 17:00 PM. The church is a beautiful example of baroque architecture. Today, the church serves as both a church and a German language and culture school, but is probably best known for the "Heiliger Steige". The church was erected in 1627/1628 on the orders of the archbishop to replace an older chapel. In 1746 Elector Clemens August von Bavarian donated the "Heiliger Steige", or holy staircase, which, according to legend has pieces of the cross the crucified Jesus set into the stone. Small brass crosses on the second, eleventh, and last steps mark the spots where the pieces of the cross are supposed to be set.
• Deutsche Welle World Headquarters and Radio, Kurt-Schumacher-Straße 3 +49/(0)228/ 429-2538 (visitor.service@dw-world.de, fax: +49/(0)228/ 429-2040). Tours leave Mon. - Fri. at: 10:00 & 14:00. Deutsche Welle (Also known simply as DW) is Germany's international media outlet and is now housed in what was supposed to be the German parliment's home. After the German government decided to move the building was taken over by DW to become its world headquarters and home to its radio operations. Tours are conducted in German, however, tours can be conducted in English, French, Spanish, or Portugese when requested in advance. DW asks that anyone wishing to take a tour reserve at least two months in advance and may require you to be with a group of 6 - 20 persons, however, they may arrange an exception if contacted. Tours last an average of two hours. Tours are free. 

• Palais Schaumburg, Adenauerallee 139/141. Until 2001 the was used to house the office of Germany's chancellor and the chancellor's cabinet. Today, the building is used as a secondary headquarters for the chancellor.  edit 
• Villa Hammerschmidt, Adenauerallee 135. Between 1951 - 1994 the Villa Hammerschmidt served as the residence of the German President, however, since the relocation of the German government to Berlin the building serves as a secondary residence for the president.

Bonn Featured Hotels

• Beethoven-Haus, Bonngasse 18-26 (Take trams (62 or 66) or buses to Bertha-von-Suttner-Platz / Beethoven-Haus), +49 228-98175-0 (info@beethoven-haus-bonn.de, fax: +49 228 98175-26). April 1 - October 31: Mon. - Sat.: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sundays & holidays: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. November 1 - March 31: Mon. - Sat.: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sundays & holidays: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Closed New Year's Day, Carnival-Thursday, the Monday preceding Ash Wednesday, Carnival-Tuesday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and from 24 to 26 December, New Year's eve. The birthplace of the great composer is now a museum dedicated to his life and work. The museum even has a lock of Beethoven's hair on display. Somewhat ironically Bonn advertises their hometown son despite Beethoven's vehment hatred for his hometown. With a competent docent this museum is well worth the visit and is more interesting than Mozart's Geburthaus in Salzburg.
• August Macke Haus, Bornheimer Straße 96 (U-Bahn stop: Bonn West),  +49 (0)228 / 65 55 31 (buero@august-macke-haus.de, fax: 49 (0)228 / 69 15 50. Hours: Tues - Fri. 2:30 - 6:00 pm. Sa, Sun, & holidays 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. August Macke a leading member of Der Blaue Reiter, a famous expressionist group, lived in this house with his wife, Elizabeth, for a few years and produced over 400 works in the top floor studio. Admission (regular/reduced): Adults: €3.50 / €2.50, Children: €2.50/ €1.50.
• Haus der Geschichte, Willy-Brandt-Allee 14 +49 (0)228 / 91 65-0 (post@hdg.de, fax: +49 (0)228 / 91 65-302),. Tue - Sun 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. Closed on December 23, 24, and 31. The museum is open with limited hours during the Christmas season. A interesting explanation of German history. Exhibitions are presented in German only, but guidebooklets with English translations are available for a couple Euros, and guided tours for school groups conducted in english are available free of charge when prebooked. Free admission for individuals. Tour groups with a guide €35.
• Kunstmuseum Bonn, Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 2 (Museumsmeile. U-Bahn stop: Heussallee. Bus 610 will also stop at Heussallee) +49 (0)228 / 776260. Tues. – Sun.: 11am - 6 pm, Wed.: 11am - 9 pm. Closed on Mondays; Februrary 23 and 27, December 24, 25, and 31. Admission: Adults: €3. Students, Children (over 6), and Bonn-Card holders: €1.50. Family ticket: €6.
• Kunst- und Ausstellungshalle der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 4,  +49 (0)228 / 9171-0.
• Deutsches Museum Bonn, Ahrstraße 45 (U-Bahn stop: Hochkreuz/Deutsches Museum Bonn) +49 (0)228 / 302-255 (info@deutsches-museum-bonn.de, fax: +49 (0)228 / 302-254). Tues. - Sun.: 10 - 18. Closed Mondays; Thursday before Fat Tuesday; Fat Tuesday (Shrove Tuesday); Good Friday; May 1; December 24, 25, and 31.. Admission: Regular: €4, Children (6 years+): €2.50, Family ticket: €7. 
• Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig, Adenauerallee 160 +49 (0)228 / 9122 211 (info.zfmk@uni-bonn.de, fax: +49 (0)228 / 9122 212). Hours: Tue., Thurs. - Sun.: 10:00 - 18. Wed.: 10.00 - 21. Closed most Mondays (except on legal holidays); Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve. Zoological museum. Admission: Regular: € 3, Discounter (Seniors, students): €1.50. 
• Aegyptisches Museum, Regina-Pacis-Weg 7 (University of Bonn. U-Bahn stop: Universität / Markt) +49 (0)228 / 739710 (aegyptisches-museum@uni-bonn.de, fax: +49 (0)228 / 737360). Hours: Tues. - Sun.: Noon - 18. Closed Mondays and holidays. The University of Bonn administered Egyptian Museum. Admission: Adults: €3.50, Students and Children (7 years+): €2.50, Family ticket (2 adults and 3 children): €9.

Festivals:

• Beethovenfest +49 /(0)228/ 2010 345 (info@beethovenfest.de, fax: +49 /(0)228/ 2010 333). A month long music festival with numerous concerts held in Bonn and aroung the Siebengebirge region. Many international musicians are showcased during the festival.
• Rhein in Flammen
• Pützchens Markt
• R(h)einKultur, one of the biggest open-air festivals, entrance free edit 

• Bonner Kammerchor (info@bonner-kammerchor.de). An amateur chamber choir made up of roughly forty members. The choir occasionally hosts free shows.
• Beethoven Orchester Bonn, Wachsbleiche 1 +49 /(0)228/ 45 49 3-0 (info@beethoven-orchester.de, fax: +49 /(0)228/ 45 49 3-25)
• read more