Since 2010, the mural by Captain Borderline has complemented the bronze memorial plaque installed in Bartholomäus-Schink-Straße in 1986. These primarily commemorate the 13 Cologne Edelweiss Pirates and forced labourers from Poland and the USSR who were publicly hanged by the Gestapo and SS in front of a group of 400 onlookers on the adjacent square in 1944.
The term Edelweiss Pirates was a collective term for mostly young people who carried out activities outside the official forms of organisation (Hitler Youth and League of German Girls) during the Nazi era and avoided membership. The term was used both by the National Socialists and by the Edelweiss Pirates themselves, although the origin of the term remains unclear.During the course of the war, members of the Cologne Edelweiss Pirates also carried out smear campaigns, leaflets and acts of sabotage.
In 1944, the Gestapo accused another group of people around the Ehrenfeld group of five murders and the theft of explosives and subsequently arrested them. The execution of the 13 Edelweiss Pirates was carried out without a court judgement.
The mural commemorates the Edelweiss Pirates and others from their circle who were murdered in the street. In addition to portraits of the respective people and their names, the colourful pirate ship is particularly striking. The young pirates sail towards the uniform mass of soldiers. In contrast to the faceless mass of soldiers, the pirates spread a cheerful mood, despite the adverse circumstances depicted in the background. There we see the synagogue of the Ehrenfeld district burning, just as the Jewish place of worship and many members of the congregation actually fell victim to National Socialist terror.
The mural is a fitting addition to the plaque in that the memory of the Edelweiss Pirates is expanded. The choice to use street art as an instrument to realise the memorial is fitting. A reminder of young people who defied the norm in the form of an art form associated with youth culture, which also opposes the usual conventions, creates a contextualisation into the present. The bunker in Körnerstraße also stands in the context of the memory of the Nazi era and the crimes committed by the regime at the time. The Edelweißpiraten Festival also takes place once a year in the Friedenspark. The free festival provides a stage for up-and-coming bands and musicians. Living witnesses of the Edelweiss Pirates also contribute to the remembrance of the time and the people involved.
The term Edelweiss Pirates was a collective term for mostly young people who carried out activities outside the official forms of organisation (Hitler Youth and League of German Girls) during the Nazi era and avoided membership. The term was used both by the National Socialists and by the Edelweiss Pirates themselves, although the origin of the term remains unclear.During the course of the war, members of the Cologne Edelweiss Pirates also carried out smear campaigns, leaflets and acts of sabotage.
In 1944, the Gestapo accused another group of people around the Ehrenfeld group of five murders and the theft of explosives and subsequently arrested them. The execution of the 13 Edelweiss Pirates was carried out without a court judgement.
The mural commemorates the Edelweiss Pirates and others from their circle who were murdered in the street. In addition to portraits of the respective people and their names, the colourful pirate ship is particularly striking. The young pirates sail towards the uniform mass of soldiers. In contrast to the faceless mass of soldiers, the pirates spread a cheerful mood, despite the adverse circumstances depicted in the background. There we see the synagogue of the Ehrenfeld district burning, just as the Jewish place of worship and many members of the congregation actually fell victim to National Socialist terror.
The mural is a fitting addition to the plaque in that the memory of the Edelweiss Pirates is expanded. The choice to use street art as an instrument to realise the memorial is fitting. A reminder of young people who defied the norm in the form of an art form associated with youth culture, which also opposes the usual conventions, creates a contextualisation into the present. The bunker in Körnerstraße also stands in the context of the memory of the Nazi era and the crimes committed by the regime at the time. The Edelweißpiraten Festival also takes place once a year in the Friedenspark. The free festival provides a stage for up-and-coming bands and musicians. Living witnesses of the Edelweiss Pirates also contribute to the remembrance of the time and the people involved.
Good to know
Eligibility
for Groups
for Class
for families
for individual guests
Pet allowed
Suitable for the Elderly
Payment Options
Entrance Free
Directions & Parking facilities
The mural by Captain Borderline is located at Cologne-Ehrenfeld railway station. This means that DB regional trains and S-Bahn trains can be used to get there. It is also easy to get there using the Cologne public transport system. Lines 3 & 4 stop at Venloer Str./Gürtel. The underground station is in the immediate vicinity of the railway station.
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