Sightseeing in Cologne - what to see. Complete travel guide

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'.

Cologne Cathedral. Cologne Cathedral is the biggest gothic cathedral in Germany. This is the unchanged symbol of the city. The building works started in 1248 and ended only in 1880. The cathedral was built on the site where the meeting of the Christians took place during the period of Roman Imperia. Cologne Cathedral miraculously remained undamaged during the Second World War. Its height is 144 m and its width is 86 m. The towers of the cathedral are 157 m tall. The treasure house of Cologne Cathedral is the most valuable one in Europe. It is even richer than the treasure house of the Vatican. Gero Cross is the most famous item there. This is a coloured wooden crucifix, created by order of Cologne archbishop Gero in 975. The death of Christ on the cross is expressed very realistically. It was a true eye-opener at that time. However, the Shrine of the Three Kings is surely the main treasure of Cologne Cathedral. These are the relics of the three saint kings (three Magi: Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar). The relics are kept in the biggest golden sarcophagus in Western Europe. Do not forget to go up to the top of the left tower of the cathedral as it features truly stunning and wonderful view of the city. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

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

The Museum of Chocolate. The Museum of Chocolate is located in a big house on the peninsula. The official name of the museum is Imhoff-Schokoladen-Museum. This is the place where visitors can learn about the whole 3000 year long history of chocolate. The museum was opened in 1993, and at that time it was the 1st museum of chocolate. In the end of every excursion visitors are welcome to try the main exhibit of the museum simply by dipping a waffle into a chocolate fountain. Tourists should remember one thing - the museum is closed on Mondays.

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

Louis Museum. Louis Museum is a great place to get acquainted with modern German art. The museum is situated behind Cologne Cathedral in the centre of the city. The museum exhibits works of different times, starting from the previous century till the present day. The section dedicated to American pop-art is the most famous one. It features the largest collection of works in this style outside the US. It contains works by Andy Warhol, Jasper Johns and Roy Fox Lichtenstein. There are also numerous works by Picasso.

Roman-Germanic Museum. The Roman-Germanic Museum is the place where unique archaeological objects are exhibited. They were found during the excavations on the site of an ancient Roman town, in the territory of which Cologne was built. The museum was built on the ruins of the Roman villa of the 3rd century and opened in 1974. The museum is located not far from Cologne Cathedral. The mosaic depicting Dionysus is, without a doubt, its greatest exhibit. The floor made of ceramic tiles of 225 AD once used to decorate the villa.