Appellhofplatz

A history-laden square in Altstadt-Nord – named after the old appeal court and today home to the NS Documentation Centre.

Square History

Appellhofplatz in Altstadt-Nord is a history-laden square in the heart of the city. Its name goes back to the "Rhenish Court of Appeal", opened in 1826 and popularly shortened to "Appellhof".

Source: Wikipedia · retrieved 2026-06-24

At a glance

Location: Altstadt-Nord, near the Zeughaus and Gereon quarter
Namesake: the Court of Appeal (1826)
Important: the NS Documentation Centre (EL-DE House) is on the square
History: previously the site of a Roman gate tower

History with weight

A gate tower of the city fortifications already stood here in Roman times. The later courthouse gave the square and street their name. Today Appellhofplatz is best known as the address of the NS Documentation Centre in the former EL-DE House – one of Cologne's most important places of learning and remembrance.