Urlaub in Köln | Oppenheim und das jüdische Köln | zu Fuß

The Oppenheim family is one of the most important German banking families. Founded in 1789, their bank Sal. Oppenheim jr. & Cie. remained in family ownership until it was taken over by Deutsche Bank in 2009.

Salomon Oppenheim Jr. (1772-1828) became a businessman at the tender age of 17. Although he was a banker, he also traded in goods such as wine, oil and cotton. His own shipping company made him independent. Oppenheim worked in Cologne from 1798. In this year, the city lifted its ban on Jews settling in the city, which had been in force since 1424 and had lasted for 365 years.

Within a few years, Oppenheim rose to become the second largest banker in Cologne. In 1822, he was the first Jew to become a member of the Cologne Chamber of Commerce. He was one of the initiators of the Prussian-Rhenish Steamship Company. His heirs carried on his legacy with determination. His widow Therese (1775-1842) and his two eldest sons Simon (1803-1880) and Abraham (1804-1878) founded a large number of companies from the 1830s onwards: Railroads, insurance companies, heavy industrial operations and banks, proving themselves to be the most innovative and risk-taking bankers of their time.

Duration: 1 ½ hours
Meeting point: Glockengasse 4; 50667 Cologne (4711 House)
Expert: Stefanie Jost

This tour is part of: Vacation in Cologne - Discover your city!
July 18 - August 2, 2026
🔗 All information & tours: www.urlaubinkoeln.de
A project of the Akademie för uns kölsche Sproch / SK Stiftung Kultur
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