Cologne, located in the prosperous region of North Rhine-Westphalia, is one of the most interesting cities in western Germany in terms of tourism. The jewel in the crown is its imposing cathedral, but if you have the opportunity to dedicate two or three days to visit it, you will discover that it holds many other surprises. In this article, we talk about some of the best places to see in Cologne.
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What to see in Cologne
- Cologne Cathedral
The famous Kölner Dom, in Gothic style, is the main tourist attraction of the city. Declared a World Heritage Site in 1996, the Cologne Cathedral began to be built in 1248 with the purpose of housing the reliquary of the Three Kings, which still remains there. Although the church was consecrated in 1322, the first stage of construction took well into the 15th century and was not completed until the end of the 19th century. When it was completed in 1880, it was the tallest building in the world at 157 meters.
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Today Cologne Cathedral is still one of the tallest churches on the planet and is the second tallest building in the city. In addition to the beautiful exterior and the impressive gold-covered reliquary of the Magi with its many bas-reliefs and precious stones, the cathedral stands out for its enormous central nave (43 m high), its sturdy bells (one of which weighs 24 tons), its stained glass windows and its high altar.
Access to the interior of the cathedral is free (and this includes the reliquary of the Magi, which is located behind the main altar), something to be grateful for being one of the essential visits in Cologne. If you want to climb the tower or see the treasure chamber, you will have to purchase the corresponding tickets, separately or combined.
- Hohenzollern Bridge and Rhine River
The classic picture of the city of Cologne is composed of the ubiquitous cathedral and the Hohenzollern Bridge across the Rhine. Its original construction dates back to 1907, but after its collapse, during World War II, it had to be rebuilt in 1948. Although automobiles could formerly circulate, since then it has been used for pedestrian and railway traffic. In fact, it is the busiest railway bridge in Germany. But if the Hohenzollernbrücke is known for anything, it is for being the bridge of lovers. And the fact is that along its more than 400 meters; there are thousands of “love locks.”
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In addition to strolling across the bridge, one of the typical things to do in Cologne is to board one of the many boats that sail along the Rhine, either on short trips along the banks of the city or along the river to visit other cities and towns. The KD shipping company manages almost all of these routes. If you plan to make several trips, you may be interested in the Rhine Pass.
- KölnTriangle
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The east bank of the Rhine is ideal for taking good pictures of the Cologne skyline. After crossing the bridge and admiring the huge statue of Emperor Wilhelm I, you can stroll along the Rheinboulevard to enjoy the view. However, if you want to get unbeatable panoramic views, we suggest you continue straight ahead to the KölnTriangle, a building just over 100 m high with an impressive viewpoint on its roof.
- Old Town
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Although World War II devastated Cologne’s historic center, postwar reconstruction efforts, while respecting traditional architecture as much as possible, resulted in an old town that retains much of its medieval essence. Cologne’s Altstadt (Old Town) is home to the cathedral itself and some historic buildings such as the Kölner Rathaus, a Renaissance town hall from 1573, or the Groß St. Martin, a Romanesque church founded in the 10th century and located on the picturesque Fischmarkt square.
This church is part of the set of the twelve Romanesque basilicas of Cologne, scattered throughout the center of Cologne, among which we would also highlight St. Gereon and St. Aposteln. Other interesting heritage elements are the old medieval gates of the city. Three of the twelve that once existed have been preserved: Eigelsteintor, Hahnentor, and Severinstor. In addition, some squares deserve special mention, such as Alter Markt and, above all, Heumarkt, where the most important of Cologne’s famous Christmas markets are held.
- Ludwig Museum
If you like museums, you are in luck, because in Cologne there are several of great quality. We will mention some of them but, in our opinion, if there is a must-see museum in Cologne, that is the Museum Ludwig. Inaugurated in 1976 by the Ludwig couple, this huge museum houses some of the largest collections of modern art in Europe, with Pop Art, Picasso, German expressionism, and the Russian avant-garde as major protagonists.
Among the dozens of authors stand out: Picasso (they have the third largest collection in the world), Kokoschka, Chagall, Miró, Kandinsky, Mondrian, Duchamp, Paul Klee, Magritte, Dalí, Max Ernst, Georges Braque, Modigliani, Matisse, Tàpies, Warhol, Jasper Johns Book a minimum of 2 hours for them. The entrance is expensive, but it is included in the MuseumsCard, which is amortized with the next two museums we will mention. By the way, the “Family” mode of this card pays off even if you are only two adults. If you have the KölnCard (transport and discounts), you will enjoy a 20% discount.
- Wallraf-Richartz Museum
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Another of the great museums of Cologne is the Wallraf-Richartz-Museum & Fondation Corboud (Wallraf Museum for friends). Its three main collections focus on the Middle Ages (13th to 16th centuries), the Baroque (17th and 18th centuries), and 19th-century painting, although it also has a number of prints and drawings from different periods. Among the most renowned artists include Dürer, Rubens, Renoir, van Gogh, Cézanne, Munch, and Monet. In addition, it usually hosts very interesting temporary exhibitions (in our case, a special Rembrandt). Set aside about two h 30 min for a visit. The entrance is included in the MuseumsCard, and you have a discount with the KölnCard.
- NS Documentation center
The last of the museums we want to recommend is perhaps the most necessary of all: the NS-Dokumentationszentrum (Documentation Center of National Socialism). Located in the EL-DE Haus on Appellhofplatz, this building was the headquarters of the Gestapo between 1935 and 1945 and, despite the destruction of 90% of the city during the war, never suffered major damage. This ironic coincidence made it possible to preserve the place and many documents in perfect condition. Today it is a place of remembrance for the victims of Nazism in Cologne, many of whom were executed in the very cellars of the building. Entrance included with the MuseumsCard.
- Other museums in Cologne
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There are so many museums in the city, and so varied, that it is necessary to filter. Everything will depend on your tastes, but here we mention other interesting museums to visit in Cologne. One of the most important, apart from the previous ones, is the Römisch-Germanisches, an archaeological museum built on a Roman villa. The subject can be expanded in the Praetorium. Among the most popular museums is the huge Schokoladenmuseum (Chocolate Museum), ideal if you are visiting Cologne with children.
And in the city where the first perfume brand, the famous eau de Cologne (eau de Cologne), was registered, a visit to the Perfume Museum in the Farina House, named after the creator of the fragrance, is a must. Guided tours are available in English. If you are interested in the subject, you should also visit Casa 4711, where one of the oldest colognes in the world is made.