Gaffel Haus
The oldest house on Alter Markt – a Gaffel brewhouse since 1987, today the sports-bar brewhouse "Zum Prinzen".
On Cologne's Alter Markt stands the Gaffel Haus, the oldest building on the square – a historic twin house that has been home to a Gaffel brewhouse since 1987.
At a Glance
- Address
- Alter Markt 20–22, Cologne Old Town North
- Current business name
- Zum Prinzen (brewhouse with sports-bar elements)
- Beer
- Cologne private brewery Gaffel
- First documented mention
- 1213
- Present building form
- since 1580
- Brewhouse since
- 1987
- Special feature
- oldest building on Alter Markt, a stop on the Cologne Brewhouse Trail
History
The house on Alter Markt appears in records as early as 1213, and took its present shape in 1580. That year Benedikt von Schwelm, a councillor and banner-lord of the stonemasons' guild, acquired the northern half of the house – he is regarded as the builder of the twin house that still survives today. The date 1580 can still be read on the wall anchors of the façade.
The Two Halves
Each part of the double house carried its own name over the centuries: the northern section was first called „Zur Brezel", while the southern one bore the name „Zum Dorn" from 1630 and „Zur goldenen Sonne" from 1767. These names reflect the long building and usage history of the property.
War and Reconstruction
After extensive restoration work between 1910 and 1912, the double house burned down to its foundation walls during the Second World War. It was rebuilt in 1955. In 1987 the private brewery Gaffel opened a „Spezialausschank" here – and from then on the building bore the name „Gaffel Haus". A distinctive interior feature is the gallery above the doorway and along the side walls: a mezzanine with 40 seats, traditionally called the „Hängestube".
Today: Zum Prinzen
In early 2015 the tradition-rich brewhouse stood empty. Among those interested in the site were Cologne restaurateur Markus Zehnpfennig, event manager Markus Krampe and footballer Lukas Podolski. Markus Krampe and partners became the new leaseholders. After an extensive renovation, the Gaffel brewhouse reopened in September 2015 – now with modern sports-bar elements and under the business name „Zum Prinzen".
Good to Know
The Gaffel Haus is one of the historic „stations" on the Cologne Brewhouse Trail, which links the city's tradition-rich beer houses and brewhouses.
Map
Blue dots: other places nearby — tap to explore.
Address
Alter Markt 20-22
50667 Köln
Hours
Mo: 12:00–23:00
Di: 12:00–23:00
Mi: 12:00–23:00
Do: 12:00–23:00
Fr: 12:00–23:00
Sa: 12:00–00:00
So: 12:00–00:00
Contact
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Comments
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Sources & links
- Official website
- Wikipedia (retrieved 2026-07-18, rev 266278931)
- Wikidata (retrieved 2026-07-18)
- Official website (retrieved 2026-07-18)
Auto-generated, last verified: 2026-07-18
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