Bergheim

Bergheim is a district capital in the Rhein-Erft region of North Rhine-Westphalia, stretching along the Erft River at an elevation of around 72 meters. The town is divided into several districts with residential and commercial areas connected by local roads and green spaces.

Archaeological finds near Niederaußem show human settlement going back to around 4000 BC. Roman settlers built the Via Belgica through the area around 50 BC, which later became an important trade route.

The name comes from the elevated ground above the river valley that once offered protection from flooding. Today the town blends residential neighborhoods with older village cores where half-timbered buildings and church squares still shape community life.

The central location around 22 kilometers west of Cologne gives visitors good access to regional transport links and nearby cities. The flat terrain in the Erft valley makes it easy to explore on foot or by bicycle.

The Niederaußem district contains a 200-meter cooling tower, the tallest in Europe, part of the local power station complex. This facility makes the area one of the most important energy production sites in the region.