Our second OUT-meeting, Oct. 9, 2016, in the Bayenturm in the Rheinauhafen, was an informative combination of Cologne history and modern-day history of the feminist movement, not only in Germany but in German speaking countries in Europe. 16 members met at the Bayenturm, after some of us had a very nice lunch at the nearby restaurant, Bona Me.
Our guide, Jasmin Schenk, database manager at the FrauenMediaTurm (FMT), as this historic tower is now called, gave us a survey of the historical relevance of the tower dating back to the 13th century. Then she went on to explain how it is now used.
As you approach the modern library and its archives, going through a narrow passage, the historic Wehrgang, you begin to feel the history of the building . It was part of the city wall at a strategic point on the Rhine River, defending this rich city from aggressive intruders. In fact, until the cathedral was completed in the 1880s, it was considered the landmark of the city, the most prominent building of the city “skyline”.
In 1984 Alice Schwarzer, prominent German women’s libber, started the library and the archives as we know it today, FrauenMediaTurm (FMT). With its extensive library (15,000 books as well as magazines and essays) and its database, the FMT is a center for feminist research. It is open to the public , but check out the website (www.frauenmediaturm.de) for more details.
One of the highlights of the historic building itself is the rooftop of the tower. You can go outside on to the roof from inside the library and enjoy a wonderful view of the city and the Rhine. Unfortunately it was raining on the day of our visit, so only a few of us ventured out. But we have vowed to come back in the summer. In good summer weather you can just stop by and ask to go up to the roof for the view, without having to make a reservation for a tour.
All in all, it was another successful OUT meeting, adding yet another bit to our already rather extensive knowledge of our own city, Cologne.