Messeturm Köln
An 85-metre brick tower from 1928 in Deutz — crowned by a three-faced Hermes sculpture and united with the Rheinhallen by its striking Expressionist façade.
The Messeturm Köln stands at the north-western corner of the Rheinhallen in Cologne's Deutz district, forming part of the Koelnmesse exhibition grounds. Its brick cladding and rooftop sculpture group make it one of the defining features of the Rhine skyline.
Source: Wikipedia
At a Glance
- Type
- Tower forming part of the Rheinhallen (trade fair halls)
- Location
- Cologne-Deutz, inner-city district
- Height
- 85 metres
- Opened
- 1928
- Architect
- City architect Adolf Abel
- Construction
- Steel skeleton with attached brick façade
- Status
- Listed monument in North Rhine-Westphalia
- Highlight
- Rooftop sculpture of Hermes depicted as three faces
When the Rheinhallen opened in 1924, Cologne residents mockingly called them 'Adenauer's horse stables' – only after city architect Adolf Abel clad them in brick and added the tower did the criticism fade. The view from the tower also inspired painter Oskar Kokoschka to create his 1956 painting 'View of Cologne from the Trade Fair Tower'.
Size comparison
Height compared with other Cologne landmarks.
Age comparison
Age compared with other places in Cologne.
History
The Rheinhallen — originally known simply as the Messehallen — opened on 11 May 1924 with a spring trade fair. Their horseshoe shape initially drew mockery from locals, who nicknamed them "Adenauer's stables." Between 1926 and early 1928, Adolf Abel clad the entire complex in brick and added the tower; the critics fell silent. The tower was ready in time for the international press exhibition "Pressa", which opened on 12 May 1928.
Architecture
Abel encased the steel skeleton in a suspended brick façade — a thoroughly modern technique for the era. The steelwork was erected by Cologne firm Humboldt AG of Cologne-Kalk, a predecessor of today's Deutz AG. Thanks to their shared brick skin, tower and halls read as a single Expressionist composition.
The Rooftop Sculpture
The tower is crowned by a sculpture featuring three faces representing Hermes, messenger of the gods and patron of merchants. Its symbolic details each carry meaning: a cogwheel for industry, a laurel wreath for the arts, a wing for trade, and a fish for the nearby Rhine.
Use Over Time
The tower served conference purposes from the outset. A bronze plaque records a darker chapter: from September 1942 the venue was repurposed as a satellite camp of the Buchenwald concentration camp. In 1956 the view from the top inspired Oskar Kokoschka's painting View of Cologne from the Messeturm. Koelnmesse used the tower as a conference venue until September 2005; its restaurant at 70 metres has since closed. Plans are in place to convert the building into serviced apartments.
Timeline
- 11. Mai 1924Opening of the Rheinhallen with a spring trade fair
- 1926–1928Brick cladding of the exhibition halls and construction of the tower by Adolf Abel
- 12. Mai 1928Opening of the 'Pressa' exhibition; tower available for the first time
- September 1942Fairgrounds repurposed as a satellite camp of Buchenwald concentration camp
- 1956Oskar Kokoschka paints 'View of Cologne from the Messeturm'
- bis September 2005Koelnmesse ends use of the tower as a conference venue
Map
Blue dots: other places nearby — tap to explore.
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Auto-generated, last verified: 2026-06-26