VIII. Gay Games Cologne 2010

Bill Clinton was here – the Siebengebirge mountain range

The former US President Bill Clinton loved going jogging, wherever in the world he was. This was no different for his official visits to Germany. Residing in the former official guest house of the Federal Republic, the Petersberg near Königswinter, Clinton jogged along a track that has since been named after him. For decades the Petersberg, on the mountain of the same name, was the official place for state guests from close-by Bonn. This mountain belongs to a mountain range, known as the Siebengebirge which picturesquely flanks the Rhine south of Bonn. The volcanic mountain range extends to 50 hills and mountains about 50 km south of Cologne, where the Rhine is at its most beautiful. Romantic forests and mountain landscapes invite you to tune out the world, relax, and enjoy an extensive walking tour. The Siebengebirge has developed into one of the most favourite destinations for the people of Bonn and also Cologne. It was for this reason that the first German Chancellor, Konrad Adenauer, moved his residence here. One called him jokingly “The Oldie from Rhöndorf”. Just how treasured the Siebengebirge in medieval times was can be seen by the number of superb castles and ruins in this area, of which a few of them, as well as Adenauer’s house can be visited.

www.siebengebirge.com