Limesstrasse Eigelsteintorburg in Cologne

Eigelstein is the name of the street that still follows the route of the Limes road northwards. From here on, extensive cemeteries lined the Roman road in Roman times. A monumental tomb, still standing in the 12th century and popularly known as Eigelstein, gave its name to the street, the medieval city gate, and the entire district. The Eigelstein Gate Tower is the third of Cologne’s remaining medieval gate towers. It was spared from the demolition of the city wall at the end of the 19th century and served as a museum.

Since 1891, the city-facing side of the west tower has been adorned with the “Kölsche Boor”: This Cologne farmer does not represent the farmer in the Cologne Carnival Triumvirate. Nor does he represent the cabbage farmers of the Eigelstein district in the Middle Ages and modern times, but rather symbolizes the city’s loyalty to the Holy Roman Empire. The figure was erected to commemorate the visit of Emperor Wilhelm II; the original is now located in Cologne City Hall.

Opposite, in the large niche of the east tower, a memorial commemorates the sinking of the warship SMS Cöln off Heligoland on August 28, 1914. Only the chief stoker, Adolf Neumann from Cologne, survived. The mail boat with which he was able to save himself was hung here in 1915 next to the cruiser’s prow crest.

Looking through the Eigelstein Gate from the city side, you can see Ebertplatz and the perfectly straight Neusser Straße. It follows the route of the Roman Limes road, passing St. Agnes Church and leading into the north of Cologne.