Claim OwnershipThe History of Cologne
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© 2020-present Willem Fromm
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The History of Cologne is a podcast that tells the story of Cologne, Germany. It’s a city with 2,000 years worth of history and it has so much to tell! Listen to the city growing. Dive into the early history of the city being founded by the Romans. How did it become a bustling medieval city? How did Cologne perform during Napoleon and the Industrial Revolution? And how about the Nazi time? Triweekly schedule, going chronological from the Roman roots up until today.
Where is this podcast now in the chronology: 1198
Where is this podcast now in the chronology: 1198
99 Episodes
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1271: Three years after civil war tore Cologne apart, the aging Dominican friar Albertus Magnus was sent to end the deadlock between a captive archbishop and an ambitious count. But peace always comes at a cost — and in Cologne, that cost would change the balance of power for a century.
On a dark October night in 1268, a secret tunnel, a betrayed alliance, and a struggle for power would decide the fate of medieval Cologne. What began as a feud between wealthy families turned into a bloody street battle beneath the city walls. Who dug the hole—and who paid the price? Join us as we uncover the forgotten story of the Battle of Ulrepforte.
In this retrospective episode, we explore how medieval Cologne’s citizens gradually challenged the authority of their archbishops, built their own institutions, and laid the foundations for urban independence in the High Middle Ages.
Cologne, 1265 — a city under siege, its streets brimming with unrest and uneasy alliances. When political grudges spill over into the night, strange visions, whispered plots, and a deadly dance leave their mark on the medieval metropolis. In this episode, we follow an archbishop who can’t stop picking fights, a city that won’t bow, and the shadowy hands fanning the flames in between.
In 1263, Cologne stood at a crossroads — again. Just a year after forcing Archbishop Engelbert II von Falkenburg into a peace agreement, the city found itself betrayed. Oaths had been made, sealed, and sworn before God. But behind the scenes, the archbishop plotted revenge — aided by papal absolution and secret plans to arrest the city’s leaders.
This episode is a gripping historical legend set in the year 1262 in Cologne, during a time of political upheaval and civic rebellion. At the heart of the tale is Hermann Gryn, a prominent city leader, who finds himself in a perilous and unexpected confrontation that tests his courage, skill, and loyalty to the city.
Now in full length! Sorry!
From early morning mists on the Rhine to fish markets, merchant quarrels, and the echo of church bells, this episode immerses you in the sounds, sights, and stories of a single day in the city's economic center. Learn how trade, guilds, and the legendary Staple Law shaped Cologne’s rise to power—and follow merchant Jakob’s anxious wait for his long-overdue ship. A vivid journey through the rhythms of everyday life in medieval Europe
In 1259, Archbishop Konrad von Hochstaden seized power in Cologne, overthrowing the city's patrician families and imprisoning several in Are Castle. After Konrad's death in 1261, the patricians hoped his successor, Engelbert II von Falkenburg, would restore their rights. However, despite early promises, Engelbert betrayed them, maintaining the city's control for himself. When relatives tried to free the prisoners, they were themselves captured. Eventually, the prisoners escaped and, with help from the citizens, negotiated their return. But Engelbert demanded high payments and further tightened his grip. Tensions erupted on 8 June 1262 when Cologne's citizens, alongside the patricians, rose up violently...
In the 13th century, they were far more than just places of prayer: The convents of St Ursula, St Cäcilien and St Mary in the Capitol played a decisive role in shaping the spiritual, economic and cultural life of medieval Cologne.
In this episode, we take a look at the lives of the aristocratic canonesses, their influence on education, land ownership and urban development - and why these women's convents can be seen as centres of female power in a male-dominated world.
A medieval document, not written on parchment, but carved in stone, still stands in Cologne Cathedral today. It granted rights—but also exposed a dangerous reality for the city’s Jewish population.
In 1259, Cologne stood at a crossroads of power and trade. Amid deep political unrest and shifting alliances, a crucial privilege—the Staple Right—was granted, setting the stage for the city’s rise as a dominant economic force. But this wasn’t just about commerce; it was a high-stakes battle between the ruling archbishop, wealthy patricians, and the city’s discontented citizens. How did this privilege shape Cologne’s destiny for centuries to come?
In 1257, the city of Cologne becomes the stage for a dramatic clash between its powerful Erzbischof, Konrad von Hochstaden, and the influential Cologne Kleingedank family. What begins as a calculated act of revenge soon spirals into a citywide conflict, testing the fragile balance of power between the city ruler, the archbishop, and the citizens of Cologne.
Imagine a time when the empire was rudderless, the throne of the Holy Roman Empire empty, and the scramble for power rippled across every corner of the land. Princes, bishops, and nobles seized the moment to expand their influence, but in this chaos, an unexpected force began to rise—cities. And at the heart of this urban revolution was the year 1254, when towns along the Rhine defied the odds to form an unprecedented alliance. Welcome to the story of the Rhenish League of Cities.
In 1252 the citizens of Cologne are fighting each other against their city lord, the Archbishop, again. This time even with warships and trebuchets firing at the city! The topic of the dispute? Money! But not a certain amount, but money in general. The currency of Cologne, the Cologne Penny, a key currency in northwestern Europe is in danger!
Behind the construction of Cologne Cathedral lies a story of medieval ingenuity, hard labor, and decades ,later centuries, of dedication. Learn more about the methods, the workers, and the challenges that shaped one of Europe’s greatest Gothic structures.
In this episode, we take a look at the life and legacy of Albertus Magnus, the renowned medieval scholar who shaped Cologne's intellectual history. Learn how he blended faith with reason, contributed to natural science, and became part of the legend surrounding the construction of Cologne Cathedral. Was Albertus really behind the city's most iconic structure? Join us as we uncover the man, the myth, and his enduring influence.
In this episode, we dive into the captivating legend of Master Gerhard, the first master builder of Cologne Cathedral in the 13th century. Discover how Gerhard’s ambition led him to a dangerous pact with the devil, the clever trick that saved his soul, and the enduring mystery surrounding his life and work.
It was a dramatic end of Cologne’s Old Cathedral in 1248. Discover how a catastrophic fire brought down this medieval masterpiece of a building, clearing the way for the iconic Gothic structure that would redefine the city's skyline up until today.
In this episode, we explore the dramatic capture and imprisonment of Archbishop Konrad von Hochstaden by the Count of Jülich in 1242. Discover how one of Cologne's most powerful medieval figures navigated treacherous political waters, outmaneuvered his enemies, and secured his release, all while shaping the future of the Rhineland and Cologne
Explore the grand welcome of Princess Isabella of England in Cologne on May 24, 1235, as the city celebrated her arrival with festivities, jousting, and a display of its diverse social classes.
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I am very interested in ancient German history and archaeology, so this podcast is exactly what I have been looking for! Also, I am eternally grateful to Mr. Fromm for taking the time to record the same episode again in German. It gives me the opportunity to develope vocab in the field I am passionate about.