Ulrepforte, Medieval gatehouse in Altstadt-Sud, Germany.
The Ulrepforte is a medieval gatehouse featuring a central passage with twin defensive towers, built as part of Cologne's 13th-century city fortifications. Inside, you'll find multiple event spaces including a marriage room, meeting areas, and an open-air courtyard surrounded by the old stone structure.
The gateway was built around 1300 and served as an entry point for potters who worked outside the walls to reduce fire hazards. During the 15th century, it was modified to house a mill that supplied the nearby Carthusian monastery.
The building now serves as headquarters for the Kölsche Funke carnival society, which keeps Cologne's festive traditions alive year after year. You can sense the deep connection to local celebration customs when you walk through its spaces.
The building is accessible across multiple levels connected by stairs that link the different spaces and the courtyard. Visitors should be prepared for uneven historic floors and occasional steps as you move between different areas.
The name Ulrepforte comes from "Ulrepe," referring to the potters whose craft shaped this area and gave it its character. This connection to the pottery trade remains embedded in the gateway's very name.
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