Forstbotanischer Garten Köln

The Forest Botanical Garden in the south of Cologne is part of the outer green belt and lies in the Rodenkirchen district. Together with the adjoining Friedenswald (Peace Forest) it forms a continuous green space of around 90 hectares.

At a glance

• Location: Rodenkirchen, by the Köln-Süd motorway interchange
• Size: around 90 hectares (garden + Friedenswald)
• Admission: free
• Character: tree collection, ponds, meadows, woodland paths

From fortress ring to green space

The grounds belonged to Cologne's outer fortress ring until the First World War. In the post-war years planners such as Hans Berge campaigned to preserve these areas as a near-natural recreation ground rather than building on them. The result is a varied garden with trees and shrubs from around the world, ponds and quiet paths inviting long walks – a green counterweight to the city.