The market square is a square in Bonn. It originated in the 11th century as the center of a commercial settlement on a busy road through Bonn. Its shape is approximately triangular. At its center is the so-called market fountain (also called an obelisk), and at its head is the old town hall, built in the Rococo style. The daily Bonn market and the annual opening festival "The Stage is Clear for Beethoven" take place on the market square.
The market square is home to numerous historic buildings. Besides the town hall, well-known buildings include the historic inn "Em Höttche" dating from 1389, where Elector Gebhard Truchsess von Waldburg celebrated his wedding to Agnes Countess von Mansfeld on February 2, 1583, which led to the outbreak of the "Cologne War."
The elegant hotel "Zum goldenen Stern" (demolished in 1894/95), today the "Sternhotel" (Markt 8), was widely known; its ballroom was also used for concerts. The premiere of Robert Schumann's Fairy Tale Pictures, Op. 113, took place there on November 12, 1853, as part of a soiree hosted by Clara Schumann, performed by Wilhelm Joseph von Wasielewski (viola) and Clara Schumann (piano). Another building, no longer standing, was the "Zehrgarten" inn, which Ludwig van Beethoven frequented. This is evidenced by his guest book, created in 1792, in which several of the inn's guests signed their names, including the innkeeper's daughter, Babette Koch, and her brother.
Accessibility
This venue is barrier-free for wheelchair users. There is a barrier-free toilet in the restaurant next door.
Please feel free to e-mail tickets@beethovenfest.de with any questions.
Directions
Arrival by train:
To Bonn main station with ICE, EC, IC, local or S-Bahn trains. From Bonn train station it is within walking distance to the market 400m 5min. Walking time.
Your tickets entitle you to travel throughout the Rhein-Sieg Transport Association (VRS) from four hours before the event until 3 a.m.
Arrival by car:
Coming from the north: A3 (Cologne/Frankfurt) -> Bonn junction (A560, A59, A555). Coming from Koblenz, take the A61 and then drive towards Cologne/Bonn. At motorway junction 29-Kreuz Meckenheim, use the right lane to follow the signs on A565 towards Bonn/Flughafen/Meckenheim, then take the exit towards Bonn-Castell.
Parking:
The market garage and the university garage are located in the immediate vicinity of the market. The car parking spaces are just a few minutes' walk from the venue.
You can find the charging stations for your electric car here: https://www.carwow.de/elektroauto/ladesaeulenkarte.