PAX society guesthouse 1913

In 1794, the Cologne mayor Johann Jacob von Wittgenstein, had a large summer residence and service buildings built on the premises of today’s PAX society guesthouse between the Rheinpromenade and Kirchstraße. Vineyards were part of the property. In the 19th century the estate passed to his daughter and son-in-law. The latter, Peter Heinrich Merkens (1778-1854), was one of the outstanding Cologne entrepreneurs of his time. He was a very successful wholesaler, banker and co-founder of, amongst other things, the Prussian-Rhine Steamboat Company, the Insurance Companies „Agrippina“ and „Colonia“ and he was the first president of the Cologne Chamber of Commerce. He added numerous vineyards and plots to the property.

His son-in-law, Hubert Seydlitz (1802-1869), a very successful salter, accumulated a considerable fortune with the salt trade. He also used and expanded the property to 30 hectares with wine and farming.

Hubert Seydlitz‘ son-in-law, Dr. Matthias Kirchartz (local physician) was by far the wealthiest inhabitant in Unkel. The heirs of the childless Kirchartz couple sold the property to the PAX society in 1909. The complex served as a recreation- and retirement home for priests. In 1928 the main building was enlarged and architecturally enhanced. The corner tower is reminiscent of the former half-tower of the town wall.

In the years 1935/36 the Cologne Mayor Konrad Adenauer spent nine months in exile here in the PAX guesthouse, after having been expelled from the administrative district of Cologne by the National Socialists. The novel “Haus ohne Hüter“, „The Unguarded House“, was written here by the author Heinrich Böll. The PAX guesthouse is now a hotel open to the public.