The glamorous history of the von Guilleaume family in Cologne!

The glamorous history of the von Guilleaume family in Cologne!

The villa on the Sachsenring and the surrounding coach house are impressive testimonies of historical change in Cologne. The carriage house was built around 130 years ago by Ella and Arnold von Guilleaume and originally used as accommodation for horses and staff. Architect Franz Branzky designed the construction in the Rhenish half -timbered style, which shapes the characteristic appearance of the region. Ella and Arnold von Guilleaum married in 1890; She came from the Deichmann family family, while Arnold was the son of the owner of the company "Felten & Guilleaume", which developed from a small hemp rope and cord workshop around 1820 into an international cable and technology group. This development favored the family's prosperity and enabled the construction of luxurious residences such as Gudenau Castle and Hunting Castle Callmuth, which were valued in the family.

The villa on the Sachsenring should later be built after the coach house. However, the original draft, which was based on the German Renaissance, was rejected by the builders and Emperor Wilhelm II. In the early 1900s, the family was wealthy and known for their generous festivals. In 1903 they celebrated a large palace festival with 93 guests. But after the First World War, the family experienced severe crises, including the confiscation of the villa by English officers and the hyperinflation, which significantly restricted the family's prosperity.

The destruction and reconstruction

The villa is not only an architectural heritage, but also a historical symbol. During the Second World War, the building suffered serious damage in 1942 due to bombing, and most of the inventory was lost. The destruction of the house marked the preliminary decline of a once magnificent family life. Arnold's son Joachim decided in the 1950s to tear down the ruin and to build a new residential building in her place. At least parts of the original villa have been preserved, including an old bay window and a bricked -down column portal that still provide information about the architectural history of the region.

The coach house itself was restored and inhabited until 1975. It now stands as a memorial for the life and history of the family of Guilleaume, which was in the highest social circles of the Empire. The way of life of this family, shaped by luxury and influence, was unimaginable for many citizens. The stories and anecdotes told in connection with the Kutscherhaus and Villa at the Sachsenring are multifaceted and offer insights into the social and economic developments in the region.

Cologne's historical meaning

The change from the Guilleaume family reflects the larger picture of the city of Cologne, which can look back on a story of almost 2000 years. Founded in the year 50 AD as Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium, Cologne developed into an important commercial city in the early Middle Ages. The industrialization of the 19th century led to a significant economic upswing, which also influenced the life of better society. Events such as the Second World War and the subsequent efforts to rebuild the cityscape sustainably shaped the cityscape.

Cologne has still developed into a city of millions that is known for its cultural events, especially the carnival. Despite the destruction in World War II, the city has established itself as an attractive location for media and culture. The history of the villa on the Sachsenring and its surroundings is not only a family history, but also part of the multi -layered heritage of Cologne, a city that is repeatedly rebuilt and redesigned.