Frechen (; Ripuarian: Frechem) is a town in the Rhein-Erft District, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
History Frechen was first mentioned in 877 and is situated at the western Cologne city border.
It is the site of the 1257 Battle of Frechen between Conrad von Hochstaden, Archbishop of Cologne and the people of the town. In the 16th century it became known for locally produced terra cotta products, especially the "Bartmannskrug" (beardman jug).
In the late 18th century lignite was industrially mined. Digging for lignite dominated the city's economy until the end of the 20th century, and in 1891 the first briquette factory was opened.
On 2 September 1951 Frechen received its city-rights including the villages of Bachem, Hücheln and Buschbell. On 1 January 1975 the nearby villages of Grefrath, Habbelrath, Königsdorf and Neufreimersdorf were also incorporated.
In 1971, the Keramion, a ceramics museum in a distinctive glass-enclosed modern structure designed by architect Peter Neufert, opened to display the extensive historic and contemporary collection of local collector Gottfried Cremer.
From the 1980s onwards an increasing number of industrial, commercial and service enterprises choose Frechen as their location, so that the town changed its features considerably.
Population
Local council Elections were held in September 2025. CDU: 13 seats SPD: 11 seats Alliance 90/The Greens: 6 seats Perspektive für Frechen: 5 seats FDP: 2 seats The Left: 2 seats BSW: 1 seat Alternative für Deutschland: 6 seats
Notable people Kirsten Bolm (born 1975), athlete Janine Jackowski (born 1976), film producer Wayne Carpendale (born 1977), actor and presenter Jan Rouven (born 1977), magician and convicted child sex offender Pierre Vogel (born 1978), Islamist preacher Ayọ (born 1980), soul singer Sonja Bertram (born 1984), actress Marcel Heller (born 1986), footballer Lennart Thy (born 1992), footballer Hannah Meul (born 2001), professional rock climber
Twin towns – sister cities
Frechen is twinned with: Kapfenberg, Austria
References
External links
Official website Website of the Keramion ceramics museum