Hilla’s Reading Shed

The well-known writer from Monheim, Ulla Hahn, grew up with her brother in a typical local brick house with green shutters on Neustrasse, where she discovered her love of language and writing as a child. These days, her former childhood home is home to a municipal literature house for children, young people and adults. In an old shed behind the house, little “Hilla” found a retreat from the hustle and bustle of family and farm life, where she could write and discover her own imagination. Today, a replica of Hilla’s reading shed is ready to be discovered in the garden next to the Ulla Hahn House. For anyone interested in literature, a visit to this gem is a must!

Where Hilla once wrote

The reconstructed wooden shed in the garden, where the young “Hilla” used to read and write as a child, lets you dive into the small private world of the author. The mini-museum has interactive elements to show visitors the simple circumstances under which the author escaped into her world of ideas. While leafing through the photo album on the desk, you can hear the author’s voice telling you about episodes from her childhood.

Ulla Hahn’s works and Monheim am Rhein

Would you like to read Ulla Hahn’s works for yourself? She describes her childhood experiences in Monheim am Rhein in her novels “Das verborgene Wort” and “Aufbruch”.

Tip: Ulla Hahn themed guided tours can be booked via the tourist information in Monheim Mitte.

Hilla’s Reading Shed is open

from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day

Free admission

Hilla’s Reading Shed in the garden of the
Ulla Hahn House

Neustraße 2-4
40789 Monheim am Rhein

You can also visit the former childhood home of the writer Ulla Hahn, which now houses a municipal literature house for children, young people and adults.

Other Mon-Chronik sites

The 26 meter high Schelmenturm, or Rogue’s Tower, is the stately landmark of Monheim and the last part of a fortification built around 1425 to protect the "Freiheit Monheim".

With the historic eel fishing boat called "Fiat Voluntas", the city has landed a "real contemporary witness" for you, one which inspires its guests as an interactive museum.

In the heart of the Urdenbacher Kämpe Nature Reserve, the former Roman fort at HausBürgel is just waiting for you to discover and explore it. The Roman Museum vividly tells visitors about thelife of the soldiers once stationed here, and outside, you can even smell real plants of late antiquity.

Carnival all year round! The citizens of Monheim live and love their foolish goings-on. With the Carnival Museum in the heart of the old part of town, this tradition also has a permanent place outside the so-called "fifth season".

The "Kradepohl," or "Krötenpfuhl" (“Toad Pond”) in High German, is one of the prettiest squares in the old part of town. Here, where once frogs croaked in a fire pond is where a "tradition tree" and a fountain now stand. Shady trees and plenty of benches invite visitors to sit down and linger a while. The square is also the site of the church in the historic center of town.

Situated in a fairy-tale romantic setting, Marienburg Manor was built by the architect August Carl Lange around 1879 as a summer house for the lawyer and politician Eugen von Kesseler, both from Cologne. It was modelled on Marienburg Castle in Malbork, Poland – one of Monheim’s twin towns today.

One landmark of Monheim am Rhein that’s visible from afar is St. Mary’s Chapel. Rhine boatmen initially built a wooden chapel here in 1418, which was replaced by a late Gothic chapel made of stone in 1514.

The goose from our city coat of arms comes alive and becomes an interactive city guide. The innovative Mon-Chronik app makes this possible and links all the important sites in the urban area.

The history of Monheim can be felt, seen and experienced in many places throughout the city. The Mon-Chronik, the decentralized city museum, links and presents our historical places and exciting tourist sights. Set off on the tour today!