Bonn: Germany's former capital blends history, Beethoven and the Rhine

Bonn, located 24 km south of Cologne in the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region, served as the capital of West Germany until reunification. The city's history stretches back to a Roman fortress, later becoming the residence of the Cologne electors. Granted federal city status in 1994, Bonn is renowned as Beethoven's birthplace and a hub of classical music and history tourism.