Veedel
Greek Market Quarter
In the district Altstadt/Süd
The Griechenmarktviertel sits in the south-west of Altstadt-Süd, where the narrow, organically grown old town meets the grid-planned Cäcilienviertel. Its heart and namesake is the street pairing of Großer and Kleiner Griechenmarkt. The origin of the name has been argued over for centuries: some trace it to a legendary colony of Greek craftsmen said to have been settled by Empress Theophanu in the shadow of St. Pantaleon, others to the Middle High German word 'Crieg' — a memory of the weavers' revolt brutally crushed in 1371. Neither story is documented, and that ambiguity is part of the quarter's charm.
Source: Wikipedia
At a glance
Greeks or war?
Die romantische Lesart macht Kaiserin Theophanu, die byzantinische Gemahlin Ottos II., zur Gründerin einer griechischen Künstler- und Handwerkersiedlung — nach ihr soll auch die längst abgerissene Griechenpforte benannt sein. Nachweisen ließ sich das nie: In den mittelalterlichen Schöffenbüchern taucht kein einziger griechischstämmiger Bewohner auf. Die nüchternere Deutung verweist auf das mittelhochdeutsche „Crieg“ und die „blutige Weberschlacht“ von 1371, bei der ein Aufstand der Weber am Griechenmarkt endete.
Where Offenbach was born
Am Großen Griechenmarkt kam 1819 Jakob Offenbach zur Welt — der spätere Jacques Offenbach, Schöpfer von „Orpheus in der Unterwelt“ und Erfinder der französischen Operette. Sein Vater war Kantor der Synagoge in der Glockengasse; 1833 verließ die Familie Köln Richtung Paris, wo aus Jakob der weltberühmte Jacques wurde. Das ursprüngliche Geburtshaus steht nicht mehr, doch das Viertel hält die Erinnerung wach.
Landmarks in the quarter
Haus Im Bachem
A 16th-century former house brewery at Großer Griechenmarkt 37–39 — the only home to survive the war undamaged.
Jacques Offenbach's birthplace
Born on the Großer Griechenmarkt; the original house is gone, a plaque commemorates the composer.
Water Tower Hotel
A listed historic water tower on Kaygasse, now a five-star hotel — a technical monument of Altstadt-Süd.
History at a glance
- 10. Jh.The Griechenpforte gate in the Roman city wall first appears — giving the quarter its early name.
- 1371The Cologne weavers' revolt ends in the 'bloody weavers' battle at the Griechenmarkt'.
- 1819Jacques Offenbach is born on the Großer Griechenmarkt.
- 1856/57The old Griechenpforte gate is demolished.
- 1943/44Incendiary bombs destroy the tight-knit quarter almost entirely.
Did you know?
Jacques Offenbach was actually named Jakob. That his family surname 'Offenbach' matched the town of Offenbach am Main his father came from — while he himself was born on Cologne's Griechenmarkt — is pure coincidence.
The Haus Im Bachem at Großer Griechenmarkt 37–39, a former house brewery from the 16th century, was the only residential building in the quarter to survive the Second World War undamaged — including its baroque cherry-wood staircase.
This quarter is part of the district
Altstadt/Süd →All structural data (age, labour market, households, elections) is on the district page.
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