Piwipp

Piwipp is a historic riverside country inn (Landgasthaus) and former Rhine ferry and ship-ordering station located in Dormagen, Germany, on the right bank of the Rhine opposite Monheim am Rhein. The site's history reaches back to the Middle Ages, with written records from the 13th century, and it has been in the possession of the Siepen family since 1922. Today it operates as an excursion restaurant and guesthouse, offering regional cuisine, a summer terrace, a beach bar, and a drinks wagon, and it celebrates its 100th anniversary as a family business. The inn's origins are intertwined with the Rhine ferry that once connected Monheim and the Piwipp. A land customs post in Monheim is documented in 1257, and a ferry operation is recorded in 1374. Over the centuries the ferry rights changed hands, and in 1922 Wilhelm Siepen acquired the farm and ferry rights. The property was destroyed in 1945 but rebuilt by the Siepen family. The ferry service ceased in 1977, and the ship-ordering station was dissolved after more than 160 years. In 2013, a volunteer association revived the ferry on weekends and holidays from April to mid-October. As a hospitality brand, Piwipp positions itself as a destination for day-trippers and locals seeking traditional German fare in a scenic riverside setting. The inn is known for its "Hol' Üvver" motto, a nod to its ferry heritage. It remains a private, family-owned business, with Carina Siepen currently at the helm. The establishment does not operate as a chain or franchise; it is a single-location, owner-operated enterprise deeply rooted in the local community and regional history.

The history of Piwipp stretches back to the Middle Ages. According to oral tradition, a monk's monastery stood on the site where the Piwipp now stands. Written records first appear in the 13th century: a document from 1257 by Count Adolf IV of Berg attests to a land customs post in Monheim, from which a ferry connection can be inferred. The next written record is dated 8 January 1374, when the Monheim salmon fishery was awarded to the Cologne Cathedral chapter and the elevation of the Piwipp as a landing place for it is mentioned. Further records of a ferry connection appear in 1725, when the Monheim church objected to a new connection between Baumberg and the left-Rhine "ahm Wittenberg aufm Cöllnischen". In the Rhenish village chronicle of Johann Peter Delhoven in 1783, the name "Piwitte" appears for the first time; it is presumed that the name "Piwipp" derives from the "witten (white) Berg". In the 19th century, Peter von Achten obtained all ferry rights between Monheim and the Piwipp. In 1867, the Piwipp and the ferry rights were sold to Caspar Dormann. Towards the end of the 19th century, the Piwipp burned down to its foundations. After the farm was rebuilt, the Dormann family established a ship-ordering station. In 1922, the Dormann family sold the farm and ferry rights to Wilhelm Siepen. After he rebuilt the ferry connection, the farm was completely bombed in 1945, and the ferry ship "Gunda" was sunk. The house was completely rebuilt by the Siepen family. Since 1922, the Piwipp has been in the possession of the Siepen family. The ferry and ship-ordering station operated until 1977. The Piwipp was a ship-ordering station for Rhine shipping with a passenger ferry to Monheim am Rhein until 1977, and is today an excursion restaurant in the city of Dormagen. The Piwipp is situated at an elevation of 40 m above sea level, opposite Monheim am Rhein, with the village of Rheinfeld to the west. In 1925, ferryman Wilhelm Siepen acquired the first motorboat, the "Gunda", which had 34 hp. In 1964, the Piwipp ordering station gave an average of 30 orders per day to passing ships. In 1968, the new motorboat "Hol über" with 84 hp was commissioned. Even in 1970, the Rhine crossing cost 30 pfennig. In 1977, ferry traffic was discontinued. After more than 160 years, the Piwipp ordering station was also dissolved. To revive the ferry service, the "Verein Piwipper Böötchen e.V." was founded. After a test operation in 2012, regular ferry service resumed in March 2013; since then, the ferry operates from the beginning of April to mid-October on weekends and holidays. Today, the Landgasthaus Piwipp is a family-run inn that celebrates its 100th anniversary, offering a summer terrace, indoor dining, a beach bar, and a drinks wagon. It is currently led by Carina Siepen and her team.

• 2013

  Regular ferry service resumes in March, operating on weekends and holidays from April to mid-October.

• 2012

  Test operation of the revived ferry service by the "Verein Piwipper Böötchen e.V.".

• 1977

  Ferry traffic is discontinued and the Piwipp ordering station is dissolved after more than 160 years.

• 1968

  The new motorboat "Hol über" with 84 hp is commissioned.

• 1964

  The Piwipp ordering station gives an average of 30 orders per day to passing ships.

• 1945

  The farm is completely bombed and the ferry ship "Gunda" is sunk; the house is rebuilt by the Siepen family.

• 1925

  Ferryman Wilhelm Siepen acquires the first motorboat, the "Gunda", with 34 hp.

• 1922

  Wilhelm Siepen acquires the farm and ferry rights; the Piwipp comes into the possession of the Siepen family.

• 1867

  The Piwipp and ferry rights are sold to Caspar Dormann.

• 1783

  The name "Piwitte" appears for the first time in the Rhenish village chronicle of Johann Peter Delhoven.

• 1725

  Monheim church objects to a new ferry connection between Baumberg and the left-Rhine area.

• Document by Count Adolf IV of Berg attests to a land customs post in Monheim, implying a ferry connection.

• Written record mentions the elevation of the Piwipp as a landing place for the Monheim salmon fishery.

Traditional, family-run riverside inn and excursion destination with deep local heritage.

• Regional German cuisine

  Traditional dishes served in the inn and on the summer terrace.

• Beverages

  Drinks available at the beach bar and drinks wagon.

• Event hosting

  Space for closed parties and events.

• Ferry service

  Seasonal passenger ferry across the Rhine, operated by a volunteer association.

1. 1Landgasthaus Piwipp – Official Websitehaus-piwipp.de
2. 2Geschichte – Landgasthaus Piwipphaus-piwipp.de
3. 3Piwipp – Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org
4. 4Piwipp – Wikidatawikidata.org