Dechendenkmal

More information about the history

Image: Dr. Heinrich von Dechen, portrait from “Deutsche Rundschau für Geographie und Statistik” [German Geography and Statistics Review], Trier University library collection

Geologist, caver, author, cartographer and nature lover – Heinrich von Dechen was not only multi-talented, he also recorded extraordinary achievements in a great many fields. Born in Berlin in 1800, he studied geology, mineralogy, chemistry, physics and mining engineering there in preparation for a career at the mining agency. He quickly made a career for himself working in the Ruhr and in the Rhineland – his adopted home – and became Professor of Mining Engineering thanks to numerous scientific publications.

Image: Geological map (detail), Heinrich von Dechen 1861

Heinrich von Dechen’s outstanding scientific importance for geology was mainly thanks to the publication of the first geological map of the whole of western Germany, part of which he surveyed himself. Geological research into and the mapping of the Rhineland and Westphalia were undoubtedly the focal points of his scientific interests. In 1825, while he was still a trainee, he published a geological map of the Rhineland which he enhanced and added to for many years. By 1884, he had created 35 sheets to a scale of 1:80.000.

Image: Page of “Sammlung der Höhenmessungen in der Rheinprovinz” [Collection of elevation measurements in the Rhine Province], by Heinrich von Dechen, under commission at Henry & Cohen, Bonn 1852

Heinrich von Dechen also found prominence as a publisher of scientific articles and books. For example in 1852, he published two volumes with annotations of his collection of elevation measurements in the Rhine Province and, from 1838 to 1855, he was the publisher of the archive for mineralogy, geology, mining and metallurgy, together with K.J.R. Karsten. As the author of numerous publications, including on volcanoes in the Eifel and the Siebengebirge, he received an honorary doctorate from Bonn University.

Image: Postcard, “Dechen cave”, around 1898, www.dechenhoehle.de

Even after he retired, Heinrich von Dechen continued his geological research and also devoted himself to inventions in the fields of mining, the railways and water pipes. Moreover, he dedicated himself to learned societies, as the founder of associations, consultant and benefactor. This monument is not the only testament to his life and work: Heinrich von Dechen became Aachen’s first honorary citizen, he gave his name to the “Dechenhöhle” cave in the Sauerland, as well as to several road names in the Rhineland. Furthermore, the mineral vondechenite bears his name – as has a lunar crater since 1935.

Practical information

Visit the permanent exhibition on the history of nature conservation in the outer bailey of Drachenburg castle.
Opening hours:
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Find out more about the history of the preservation of historic monuments and nature conservation at the Siebengebirgsmuseum Königswinter, Kellerstrasse 16:
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