Langer Tünn, Schäfers Nas, Karate-Jacky & Co
“Chicago on the Rhine”: In the 1960s to 1980s, Cologne was the Mecca for gambling, prostitution and crime. Always there: the greats of “Miljös”, who are still remembered in the cathedral city today.
Cologne – You worked as a pimp, bouncer or in a casino, ensured that Cologne was nicknamed “Chicago am Rhine“Received – and are true cult figures in the cathedral city to this day: We are talking about the greats of the Cologne” Miljös “, who died a decade ago turned the metropolis on the Rhine into a paradise for gambling, pimping and crime.
Cologne War once the “Chicago on the Rhine”
Um the “Long Tünn“,”Shepherd’s Nas“Or the”Fresh pitter“Countless myths and legends are entwined to this day – pretty much every Cologne resident knows a story to tell about the former underworld greats. We present five familiar faces from the “Miljo“More precisely.
Anton Claaßen alias “Der Lange Tünn” – formerly a gambler and pimp, today a city guide
Anton Claaßen alias “Long Tünn“Is undoubtedly one of the most famous“ Miljö ”giants and is still known throughout the city in Cologne today. At the age of 14, he says he succumbs to gambling in the then gambling metropolis and loses millions in the course of his playing career. So it ends up in the some time later Red light district, starts working as a pimp and spends three years of his life in prison in total.
Today, the “Lange Tünn”, who is a regular guest on talk shows, is much more relaxed: In Facebook videos, he gives his opinion on all sorts of topics, and also organizes City tours, where he tells anecdotes and stories from the past.
Heinrich Schäfer alias “Schäfers Nas” – feared pimp and savior of the Cologne Cathedral Cross
“Shepherd’s Nas“Was probably the most feared pimp in Cologne, he owes his distinctive nickname to his nose. At the beginning of the 1960s he became known throughout the city for his activities in the red light district, including a rivalry with the “Dummse Tünn”, whom he met in September 1975 precipitates.
“Shepherd’s Nas”, who spent eight years of his life in prison in 1996, became particularly well known as an unknown perpetrator of the valuable Lecture cross steal from the treasury of Cologne Cathedral. At the request of the provost, Schäfer lets his contacts into the underworld play and actually manages to bring the cross back. The reward of 3,000 D-Marks should be given with the words “You don’t take from the cathedral, at most you give it to the cathedral“Have refused. In 1997 he died of heart failure at the age of 60.
Peter Frisch alias “Frischse Pitter” – in Cologne with “Minipli” and a mustache as a cult figure
Of the “Fresh pitter“Was considered in the” Miljö “as a” housekeeper “- a term for so-called” watchdogs “who die when they are not exactly squeamish with their counterparts. His appearance in particular makes him a cult figure today: shoulder-length, blonde curls (the so-called “Minipli“) Paired with a mustache that was always coiffed was his trademark in the early 1960s.
Through illegal machinations in the 1960s and 1970s, he was responsible for Cologne’s nickname as “Chicago on the Rhine”. Today the father of three children has also come to rest and is the owner of one Garlic cart, with which he travels to stations all over Germany.
Anton Dumm alias “Dummse Tünn” – Romy Schneider’s bodyguard
Anton Dumm, who was born in 1938, was already conspicuous as a teenager through criminal acts, but it didn’t really get going for him until the early 1960s, when the “Stupid guys“BECOMES nationally known as a pimp. This BECOMES HIM shortly afterwards, he was arrested as early as 1965 and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment in October 1966. In addition, however, he makes himself the bodyguard of the German drama legend Romy Schneider a name.
The last time the “Dummse Tün” hit the headlines in 2009 when a kidnapping occurred on his horse farm, which he has since acquired, in which his son is also involved. “That belongs in jail“, Says the red light legend, who fell out with his son afterwards himself.
Jakob Franzen alias “Karate Jacky” – The “World Champion of the Road”
In the past few years, Jakob Franzen alias “karate Jacky“Known especially on the side of his mates” Langer Tünn “, both of them met regularly for coffee in the southern part of the city and discussed in the truest sense of the word about God and the world. However, this was preceded by the “Miljö” era, in the 80s “Jacky” was one of the most feared bodyguards and bouncers of all. According to his own statement, the longtime martial artist who is known as “World Champion the street“Was known to have never lost a fight on the street in his life.
For his judo skills he was even nominated for the German Olympic squad, but this was withdrawn from him due to his proximity to Cologne’s “Miljö”. In the last few years Franzen lived in one Homeless shelter in Annostraße, before he died surprisingly surprisingly in April 2021 at the age of 60. When he was greeted at the Westfriedhof, his close friend “Tün” gave an emotional funeral speech.
“Chicago on the Rhine” on WDR
Tip: If you want to know more about the Cologne legends from the “Miljo“Should switch on the TV program of the WDR on Friday evening (November 19) at 9 pm. There and in the WDR media library the film “Chicago on the Rhine – From big and small crooks in Cologne ”by Director Peter F. Müller, who once again “pays tribute” to the red light sizes. (mo) More news on the 24RHEIN homepage. Tip: Get informed every day what is happening in Cologne – just subscribe to our free 24RHEIN newsletter.