Cologne Banana Republic
A traffic island in a roundabout in Cologne's Südstadt, planted with banana trees, palms and wildflowers by local volunteers.
since 2009
In the middle of a roundabout on Bonner Straße, a little patch of the tropics has been growing since 2009. The Cologne Banana Republic is a traffic island planted and tended by local residents that has long become a landmark of the Südstadt district.
Source: Wikipedia
At a Glance
- Type
- Volunteer-tended green space on a traffic island
- Location
- Roundabout on Bonner Straße, corner of Rolandstraße/Teutoburger Straße
- Nearby
- Chlodwigplatz (a few minutes' walk toward the city centre)
- Size
- about 226 square metres
- Planting
- Banana trees, palms and wildflowers
- Founded
- September 2009 by Michael Kiefer
- Upkeep
- Residents of the surrounding neighbourhoods
- Award
- Audience prize of the Social Design Award 2017
When he proclaimed it in 2009, founder Michael Kiefer promptly appointed himself "President of the Banana Republic".
Things to do here
- Discover the resident-planted traffic island with banana trees and palms
- Stop by the insect hotel
Area comparison
Area compared with other Cologne parks and green spaces.
Age comparison
Age compared with other places in Cologne.
Location & Size
The Banana Republic sits on the central island of a roundabout on Bonner Straße, at the corner of Rolandstraße and Teutoburger Straße. Chlodwigplatz is just a few minutes' walk toward the city centre. The planted area measures roughly 226 square metres.
Origins
The island was originally meant to be redesigned as part of the underground railway construction, but the project kept being delayed. In September 2009 Michael Kiefer took matters into his own hands: he levelled the fallow ground, cleared away rubbish, added topsoil and planted the first banana tree. At the same time he proclaimed the "Banana Republic" and appointed himself its "President". First alone and later with friends and neighbours, he continued the planting and care. In May 2014 an insect hotel was added.
Awards & Today
In 2013 the City of Cologne leased the central island to Michael Kiefer, and in May 2015 it took over sponsorship of the site. In late 2017 the Banana Republic won the audience prize of the Social Design Award organised by Spiegel Online. In August 2019 Mayor Henriette Reker honoured the civic engagement with a certificate. Over the years the green roundabout has repeatedly drawn attention from the local press, television reports and even a Cologne travel guide.
Timeline
- 2009In September, Michael Kiefer proclaims the Banana Republic and plants the first banana tree.
- 2013The City of Cologne leases the central island to Michael Kiefer.
- 2014An insect hotel is put up in May.
- 2015In May, the City of Cologne takes over sponsorship of the site.
- 2017The Banana Republic wins the audience prize of the Social Design Award.
- 2019In August, Mayor Henriette Reker honours the engagement with a certificate.
Map
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Hours
So: 00:00–24:00
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Sources & links
Auto-generated, last verified: 2026-07-04
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