Cologne, Germany — Where to Go
Cologne Sightseeing Overview
The fourth biggest city in Germany, Cologne began life as a Roman colony or colonia (hence its name). Its location on the Rhine, at the heart of Germania, was key to its status as capital of the province. The city became a center for worship, famous for the legend and cult of Santa Ursula, and built several splendid Romanesque churches, which survive today.
By the Middle Ages, Cologne was one of the most important cities in the Holy Roman Empire and in 1248 work began on its mighty cathedral, designed to house the relics of the Three Wise Men. Known as the Dom, it was once the world's tallest building and is arguably still the world's greatest gothic edifice, attracting pilgrims from all over Europe, even though it was not to be completed for another six centuries. It is still Germany's most visited attraction.
Cologne suffered terribly in WWII, losing most of its historic center, and only a small proportion of the Altstadt, right by the river, survives, or has been reconstructed in its original form.
Sightseeing in Cologne is concentrated around the Dom (cathedral) with two major museums adjacent and a third less than 100m (328ft) away. Also very close by is the most attractive part of Cologne, the heart of the Altstadt (Old Town) beside the river Rhine, which becomes an attraction in its own right when the weather is warm.
Dotted around the city center are 12 superb examples of Romanesque churches. The Dom precincts are deliberately bare and open in order to give the best possible views of the city's pride and joy. In winter, however, this area can be bitterly cold and desolate; it is best to come in December when the colorful and vibrant Christmas markets use the Dom as a dramatic backdrop and bring it to life.
In the colder months, the northern ‘sightseeing boundary' is the church of Santa Ursula (five minutes from the Dom) while a 10- to 15-minute walk in the opposite direction following the river brings you to the southernmost sight, the Imhoff-Stollwerck chocolate museum. Don't miss a visit to either. Summer sightseeing extends north to the zoo, botanical garden and cable car, around 2km (1.2 miles) along the river from the Dom.
Cologne Tourist Information
Cologne Tourist Board (Kölntourismus)
Opposite the cathedral entrance, Unter Fettenhennen 19
Tel: (0221) 30400.
Website: www.koeln.de/tourismus
This is the main tourist office in Cologne. There is also an office at the airport, Terminal 2, arrivals level and at the Kölnmesse when trade fairs are on. Rooms can be booked at the main office and at the airport office.
Cologne Sightseeing
If you intend visiting most of the sites, it may be worth investing in the Köln Welcome Card which gives reduced-price admission to most attractions and excursions as well as free travel on all public transport. The card is available from the tourist office.
Cologne Sightseeing
If you intend visiting most of the sites, it may be worth investing in the Köln Welcome Card which gives reduced-price admission to most attractions and excursions as well as free travel on all public transport. The card is available from the tourist office.
Key Attractions in Cologne, Germany
Dom (Cologne Cathedral)
Unmissable in every sense, this behemoth is one of the most awe-inspiring buildings in the world and holds a number of treasures, including the golden casket holding the remains of the Magi, the ninth-century Gero crucifix, the Stefan Lochner triptych and medieval stained glass windows. Climb the 509 steps to the viewing platform of the 157m-high (515ft) South Tower for the dizzying views and down below look in the Schatzkammer (Treasury Museum).
Domkloster
Tel: (0221) 1794 0200.
Website: www.koelner-dom.de
Opening hours: Daily 0600-2100 (May-Oct); 0600-1930 (Nov-Apr).
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: Y.
UNESCO site: Y.
Römischer-Germanisches Museum
This museum celebrates Cologne's importance as the capital of Roman Germany and is built around a superbly preserved mosaic floor (the best of its kind in north Europe) comprising over 1 million pieces.
Roncalliplatz 4
Tel: (0221) 22304 or 24438.
Website: www.museenkoeln.de/roemisch-germanisches-museum
Opening hours: Tues-Sun 1000-1700.
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: Y.
Imhoff-Stollwerck-Museum
Set in a stunning building on the Rhine, this entertaining and educational exhibition (all captions in perfect English) studies every possible aspect of the fascinating history of chocolate and features a real working production line culminating in a chocolate fountain.
Rheinauhafen 1A
Tel: (0221) 931 8880.
Website: www.schokoladenmuseum.de
Opening hours: Tues-Sun 1000-1800; Sat-Sun 1100-1900.
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: Y.
Museum Ludwig
This world-class modern art museum is full of eye-catching pop art icons from the late 20th century, including masterpieces from Andy Warhol (Munroes and Campbell soups), Roy Liechtenstein and René Magritte, plus several hundred lesser works by Pablo Picasso. Dalí's huge La Gare de Perpignan is worth the entrance fee alone.
Bischofsgartenstrasse 1
Tel: (0221) 26165.
Website: www.museenkoeln.de/museum-ludwig
Opening hours: Tues-Sun 1000-1800 (until 2200 every first Thurs of the month).
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: Y.
Cologne's Romanesque Churches
Cologne boasts 12 wonderfully atmospheric churches, largely unassuming from the outside, which were originally built between the 10th and the mid-13th centuries, then rebuilt and restored after severe war damage. Don't miss Gross St Martin, St Aposteln, St Gereon, St Maria im Kapitol, St Cäcilien (now home to the Schnütgen Museum of Sacred Art) and especially St Ursula with its amazing and macabre Goldene Kammer bone chapel and reliquary room.
Further Distractions
Cologne Zoo
Cologne Zoo is one of the best zoos in Europe, with over 4,000 animals representing 500 species, and set alongside beautiful botanical gardens; combine it with a flying visit over the Rhine on the adjacent Seilbahn (cable car open mid-March to early November).
Riehler Strasse 173
Tel: 1805 280 101.
Website: www.koelnerzoo.de
Opening hours: Daily 0900-1800 (Mar-Oct); 0900-1700 (Nov-Feb).
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: Y.
Wallraff-Richartz-Museum
Excellent collection spanning medieval art from 1300 to Impressionism at the end of the 19th century; famous artists from all over Europe include Cranach the Elder, Rubens, Rembrandt, van Dyck, Tintoretto, Renoir, Monet, Manet, van Gogh, Cézanne, Gauguin and Munch.
Obenmarspforten (am Kölner Rathaus)
Tel: (0221) 2212 1119.
Website: www.wallraf.museum
Opening hours: Tues-Fri 1000-1800 (Thurs until 2200).
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: Y.
