City Views @museum.de

M: "The image of the city through the centuries" is the theme of this stop. It presents the development of Siegburg in pictures.

F: The city model in the centre shows Siegburg in 1910. With around 20,000 inhabitants, the town had less than half its current population back then – despite growing rapidly during the period of industrialisation.

Have you found the market square? You can clearly identify the medieval town centre surrounding it – and it’s also where our museum is located. Another prominent feature is the city wall, which is still preserved in many places. Outside the town, there are major industrial complexes – the state armaments industry, which you’ll be hearing about later.

M: At the media station, you can find out more about the town in different times in its history – all at the press of a button – but again, only in German.

F: For comparison: There’s a picture on the wall to your right that shows the medieval town of Siegburg. The original view was created in around 1640 by the engraver Matthäus Merian. Local artist Franz Halm turned it into a painting in around 1900. Shortly after Matthäus Merian had captured the image, major fires swept through the town. The Abbey of St. Michael was destroyed and later rebuilt with the addition of Baroque elements.

M: The picture opposite shows the abbey in its Baroque guise. This town view depicts Siegburg in around 1900. It’s a period record created by the painter and town chronicler Franz Halm. Some typical features of industrialisation are already present – note the railways, factories and smoking chimney stacks.

F: If you fancy a brief detour, the media station entitled “Ein Rätsel in Stein“ – "A riddle in stone" presents an entertaining explanation of what a “chronogram” is – again, unfortunately only in German.