Poller Köpfe

The Poller Köpfe are stone fortifications along the Rhine River's eastern bank in Cologne that stabilized the riverbank and protected the city from flooding. The site stretches along the river and displays various construction methods from different time periods.

The first stone structures were built from 1560 onward in response to frequent flooding and riverbank erosion. Construction followed an agreement between Cologne's city council and the Archbishop and was expanded and modified over centuries.

The stone structures show how inhabitants managed the Rhine's power and protected their city from water damage. They tell a story of practical engineering skill and daily efforts against floods.

The site is accessible throughout the year and can be visited from various points along the riverbank. It is worth walking slowly along the structures to observe the construction details and engineering from different angles.

Excavations in 2003 uncovered two well-preserved ancient ships that had been used during the construction of the fortifications. These discoveries offer a rare glimpse into the practical building methods used for riverbank protection at that time.