Albertus Magnus Square
The main square of Cologne University's campus, built above the sunken Universitätsstraße to create a car-free forecourt before the main building.
The square takes its name from Albertus Magnus, regarded as one of the intellectual forerunners of the old University of Cologne, which was founded roughly a century after his lifetime.
At a glance
- Type
- Central square of the University of Cologne campus
- District
- Lindenthal, along Universitätsstraße
- Location
- on the outer edge of the Inner Green Belt
- Naming
- after Albertus Magnus, during the university's reconstruction 1929–1934
- Art
- floor mosaics, an Albertus Magnus sculpture (1956), and a stele (2004)
- Adjacent buildings
- exclusively those of the University of Cologne
Origins
When the university was rebuilt between 1929 and 1934, the city gave this name to the area in front of and opposite today's main building. Initially it was only a narrow, paved forecourt reached from Universitätsstraße. Across the tree-lined street lay a lawn framed by two rows of plane trees. From the 1950s onward, a single-storey lecture hall building stood there, nicknamed the "Scheune" (barn) by students. Further buildings toward the medical facilities were planned but never realised.
Redevelopment
As student numbers grew, several new buildings became necessary: another lecture hall (1964–1968), a library (1968), and the Philosophikum (1971–1974). Together they enclose a further paved area opposite the main building. Between 1965 and 1968, Universitätsstraße was lowered and covered over, creating a traffic-free space in front of the main entrance.
Art on the square
The floor mosaics were designed by Jürgen Hans Grümmer in collaboration with architect Rolf Gutbrod. In front of the main building stands the Albertus Magnus figure, created by Gerhard Marcks in 1956. Near the Philosophikum stands a stele made by Ulrich Rückriem in 2004.
Facilities on the square
Cafeterias in the main building and the Philosophikum are run by the Cologne Studierendenwerk (student services). The square also features the PIKA pavilion, offering ice cream, coffee, pizza, and light snacks—long managed by Italian bobsled champion Nevio De Zordo.
Adjacent buildings
The University of Cologne is the square's sole adjoining property, listed mostly under house number 1 or without a number at all. All other buildings are addressed under Universitätsstraße, such as the Philosophikum at Universitätsstraße 41.
Gallery
Map
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Address
Albertus-Magnus-Platz
50931 Köln
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Sources & links
Auto-generated, last verified: 2026-07-27
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