Travel Guide to Cologne, Germany

Cologne is a city with long and interesting history. It was founded by the Roman and first mentioning about it dates back to 50 B.C. In the Middle Ages population of this oldest city in Germany was about 40000 people. This city could offer university studies, freedom of trade and well-educated citizen to talk with; all these gave grounds to put this city in the list of the richest and most powerful European cities of those times. During the Second World War the centre of Cologne was destroyed for 90%, 72% of its territory was under bombing. When the war finished those few historical places that remained untouched were tediously restored. Their reconstruction was a true success. Most of the historical places are also rebuilt now and make the city very attractive and fascinating.

The Altstadt. The ALtstadt is the oldest area in Cologne, where take place such world-famous places of interest as Cologne Cathedral, different museums and the House of Cologne 4711. The most part of the area contains of narrow cobbled streets, where one can find a lot of traditional restaurants, cafes and breweries. In all in Cologne are situated 24 breweries, which produce and sell the local sort of light beer 'Colsh'.

Cologne Cathedral. Cologne Cathedral is the biggest gothic cathedral in Germany, which serves as the symbol of the city. The building works started in 1248 and ended only in 1880. The cathedral was built on the very place where in late Roman Imperia took place the meeting of the Christians. Cologne Cathedral miraculously remained undamaged during the Second World War. Its height is 144 m and the width is 86. The towers are 157 m tall. The treasure house of the Cologne cathedral is the most valuable in Europe, it's even richer that the Vatican one. The most famous item there is the Gero Cross, the coloured wooden crucifix, created by the order of Cologne archbishop Gero in 975. The death on the cross is expressed very realistically, which was a true eye-opener at those times. But the main treasure of Cologne Cathedral is surely the Shrine of the Three Kings, where the relics of the three saint kings (three Magi: Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar) are kept. It's the biggest golden sarcophagus in Western Europe. Also it'll be a good idea to get to the top of the left tower of the cathedral, so as to enjoy the wonderful view.

The House of Cologne 4711. The House of Cologne 4711 is a world-known shop in Cologne, where one can buy the cologne 񠗗'. It's situated in Glockengasse. 'Eau de cologne' is literally translated as 'the water from Cologne'. This perfume appeared in 1709 thanks to Johann Maria Farina, who turned Cologne into the city of perfume. His perfume enterprise has the reputation of the oldest in the world. Later other shops and factories followed his example and started the production of cologne. But of course the most popular is the House of Cologne 4711. It got its name from the number of the house and soon it became the trade mark.

The Museum of Chocolate. The Museum of Chocolate is located on the peninsula in a big house, officially it's called Imhoff-Schokoladen-Museum. There the whole history of chocolate for 3000 years of its existence is showed. The museum was opened in 1993 and at those times it was the 1st museum of chocolate. In the end of the excursion you can always try the exhibits by dipping a waffle into a chocolate fountain. But keep in mind that on Mondays the museum is closed.

The City Hall. The first documental record about the City Hall as 'The Citizen House' belongs to the period of 1135-1152. When the city got the status of a free city-country, it was decided to build a tower on the City Hall. The tower has late gothic style and it's decorated with more than 130 stone statues. It is the building, where the well-known 'Platz-Jabbec' takes place (it's a cut out face, which opens its month and shows to everyone its tongue every time the currants go). In 1569 William Fernukker added a Renaissance outhouse to the front. This City Hall bower was saved during the world war; unfortunately we can't say the same about the building of the City Hall, which was destroyed by the fire. Its reconstruction became the symbol of the revival of life. In 1950 the Cologne craftsmen created the 'workshop of builders and stone dressers for the City Hall reconstruction'.

Louis Museum. Louis Museum set the pitch in modern German art. It's situated behind Cologne Cathedral in the centre of the city. The museum exhibits works of different times starting with the previous century and ending with present day. The most famous is the section of American pop-art. It has the largest collection of works in this style, located not in the USA. It contains the works by Andy Warhol, Jasper Johns and Roy Fox Lichtenstein. There also a big number of works by Picasso.

Roman-Germanic Museum. In Roman-Germanic Museum the unique archaeological objects are exhibited. They were found during the dig on the place of the ancient Roman town, where later Cologne was built. The museum was built on the ruins of the Roman villa of the 3rd century and opened in 1974. It takes place not far from the Cologne Cathedral. Its greatest exhibit is surely the mosaics of Dionysus, the floor, made of ceramic tiles of 225, which used to decorate the city villa.

Read more about Cologne:
Restaurants and cuisine in Cologne
Local traditions and lifestyle
'Must visit' places in Cologne
Nightlife and attractions in Cologne
Preparing for Cologne: Advices
Cologne photogallery