Barbarossaplatz

A busy square on the Cologne Ring road, named after Emperor Frederick Barbarossa – a central junction by the student quarter.

Square Ring road

Barbarossaplatz is part of the 7.5-kilometre Cologne Ring road and was named in 1883 after Emperor Frederick I "Barbarossa". It is one of the central traffic junctions of the southern inner city.

Source: Wikipedia · retrieved 2026-06-24

At a glance

Location: Cologne Ring road, by the "Kwartier Latäng"
Named: 1883 after Emperor Barbarossa
Function: an important tram and road junction
Surroundings: near the student quarter around Zülpicher Platz

A hub in the south

The square is enclosed by multi-lane roads, with a large tram stop at its centre. The present buildings date from after the Second World War. As a junction between the inner city, the Ring road and the lively student quarter around Zülpicher Platz, Barbarossaplatz is a familiar point of reference in everyday Cologne life.