A twenty-minute car ride from both Cologne and the former capital city of Bonn makes Lohmar an ideal location for commuters. But you will find more than just a great commuter location here.
Lohmar is a land of castles! There are four that are particularly noteworthy in this town of about 31,000 residents.
The first is the eponymous Castle Lohmar. This Gothic, moated castle was built in the fourteenth century as the result of a local feud. An earlier peace treaty had prohibited the construction of any fortifications in the area. The treaty was soon broken and the Castle Lohmar came into existence.
Not far away sits another castle, the thirteenth century Castle Honrath. Most of the building was reconstructed over time but there are still remnants from the ancient original walls. A large church tower is the defining piece of this old monument.
The Castle of Sülz is older still. Dating back to the eleventh century, this castle has a long history of being bought and sold by various important personages of the day.
But we have saved the best palace for last. Arguable the most popular of these royal residences, the Palace Auel has played host to such historical heavyweights as Napoleon Bonaparte, Tsar Alexander I, and Kaiser Wilhelm II.
These days you don’t have to be royalty to spend time here; you only need to have enough euros. With twenty-one rooms, the modern Auel is a hotel and golf resort. You can even sleep in the room where Napoleon did. (Don’t worry, the bed has been lengthened to accommodate those who stand taller than Napoleon’s alleged 5’2″ frame!)
This resort offers not only golf but horseback riding and tennis. Back in Lohmar’s city center, recreation also includes swimming, mini-golf, soccer and the ever-popular biking.
