Cologne is a city with long and interesting history. It was founded by the Romans. First mentions about Cologne date back to 50 B.C. In the Middle Ages the population of this oldest city in Germany was already about 40000 people. In Cologne people searched university education, free trade and well-educated citizen to talk to; all these factors helped the city to enter the list of the richest and most powerful European cities of that time. During the Second World War almost 90% of the central part of Cologne was destroyed, and 72% of its territory was bombed. When the war was finished, a few historical places, which remained after bombing, were tediously restored. Their reconstruction was a true success. Most of the historical places have been rebuilt, and they make the city very attractive and fascinating.
The Altstadt. The Altstadt is the oldest area in Cologne. This is the place, where such world-famous places of interest as Cologne Cathedral, different museums and the House of Cologne 4711 are located. The majority of the area consists of narrow cobbled streets. This is the place, where one can find a lot of traditional restaurants, cafes and breweries. All in all, Cologne is the location of 24 breweries, which produce and sell the local sort of light beer called 'Colsh'.
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