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A Landmark in Cologne's Citizens' Fight for Independence

Memorial in Worringen commemorating the 1288 Battle of Worringen — a landmark moment in Cologne's citizens' struggle for independence.

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In the Worringen district, a memorial stone recalls the Battle of Worringen of 1288, one of the defining moments in medieval Cologne's history. It stands on what is now St.-Tönnis-Platz, the former schoolyard, and speaks directly to the Cologne citizens' long struggle for independence.

At a Glance

Type
Memorial / commemorative stone
Occasion
Battle of Worringen, 1288
Material
Red Main sandstone
Creator
Master stonemason and sculptor Hilarius Schwarz of Worringen
Dedication
5 June 1988
Location
St.-Tönnis-Platz, Worringen district, Chorweiler borough
Did you know?

The memorial was unveiled exactly 700 years after the Battle of Worringen – on 5 June 1988, the precise anniversary of the battle fought on 5 June 1288.

The Occasion and Inscription

The stone marks the Battle of Worringen, fought on 5 June 1288. Its inscription describes the event as a historic turning point for continental northwestern Europe and as a landmark in the Cologne citizens' fight for independence.

The Imagery

The reliefs depict Hermann Grin, the so-called "lion fighter" who, according to legend, served as mayor of Cologne in 1262, as well as the key of the city of Cologne.

Timeline

  1. 1262
    Hermann Grin becomes mayor of Cologne
  2. 1288
    5 June: Battle of Worringen – historic decision for Cologne's independence
  3. 1988
    5 June: Inauguration of the memorial at St.-Tönnis-Platz in Worringen

Map

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Auto-generated, last verified: 2026-06-26