Everyone who has questioned the origins of Cologne needs no longer worry. This kind of fragrance was created in the German city of Cologne, which bears its name. With 1 million inhabitants, the fourth-largest city in Germany experienced heavy bombing during World War Two. As a result, Cologne is a very contemporary city, even if there are still traces of its long history, which dates back to the Roman era.
Roman ruins, mediaeval churches, Baroque palaces, and museums covering a wide range of topics, including art and literature, as well as the painful periods of the middle of the 20th century, are just a few of the city's many tourist attractions. Also, many Cologne attractions have appeared that commemorate the numerous goods for which the city is famous, such as chocolate, mustard, and scents.
Cologne is one of the most popular tourist locations in Germany and is home to a variety of fantastic, both historic and contemporary, places to visit in Cologne:
Cologne's significance never diminished, and it is still one of Germany's most significant cultural hubs today. Together with several art and entertainment establishments, such as more than 100 galleries and at least two dozen museums, it is home to a few of Europe's oldest institutions. Also, it's a well-liked destination for shoppers, particularly along pedestrian-friendly areas like Hohe Straße and Schildergasse.
Please review our selection of the most fabulous Cologne tourist places and exciting things to do in Cologne to maximise your time exploring.
The towering feature of the town is the Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom), which lies close to the left bank of the River. This magnificent building, known in full as the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Mary, is a marvel of High Gothic style and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It was regarded as the most ambitious construction effort of the Middle Ages and is now one of Europe's greatest cathedrals. Construction on it began in 1248. When travelling to this vibrant city, the cathedral's spectacular interior is just as stunning as its 157-metre-tall twin towers.
You'll pass through the charming Old Town of Cologne as you stroll through the city's plethora of historic churches and museums in the city centre. With historic buildings like Great St. Martin, innumerable streets are lined with old houses, many of which are now boutique stores, galleries, bars, and restaurants.
You will have plenty of opportunities to take in beautiful attractions in Cologne as you explore this old city, thanks to the many nice walks that run along the Rhine. The various monuments and fountains that dot the area will also leave you in wonder.
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The Ludwig Museum was established in the 1980s in the contemporary, purpose-built structure close to the cathedral and displays artwork created after 1900.
The Ludwigs, Peter and Irene, contributed a multi-million dollar library of 20th-century art in the 1970s, which led to the creation of the attraction. There are famous works of Pop Art, including Warhol's "Brillo Boxes" and "Maybe" by Roy Lichtenstein, among the numerous Picassos and the sizable inventory of Russian Avant-Garde items.
When a bomb shelter was being constructed during the war, a Roman villa near the cathedral was discovered.
This was fully unearthed later, and in the 1970s, a whole museum was constructed around the site instead of attempting to transport the centrepiece, a gorgeous Dionysus mosaic. The museum also displays all of the artefacts discovered nearby in Cologne from the era of Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium, the provincial capital of Germania Inferior.
The quantity and quality of the shape-blown glassware, snake-thread glass, and ground glass produced by this community, which was a glassmaking speciality, is astounding.
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Franz Ferdinand Wallraf left the city with a vast collection of Gothic, Medieval, Baroque, and Impressionist works of art in 1824, giving birth to the Wallraf-Richartz Museum.
Stefan Lochner, a 15th-century painter from Cologne who gave the Dombild Altarpiece to the church, produced some of the best Gothic works. As much time as you can spare for The Last Judgment and Triptych with Mary in the Garden of Paradise.
The beautiful Historical Hall of Cologne, known as the Kölner Rathaus or Stadt Köln, is one of the area's top attractions. It is the oldest public structure in Germany and was constructed in 1573. It has a long history that goes back more than 900 years.
The structure you see now shows a variety of various architectural influences because it served as the centre of the governing elite during the Middle Ages. They comprise the main structure from the 14th century, the tower from the 15th century, and a loggia and monastery in Renaissance architecture. Even the 20th-century influences, as evident in the atrium, are attractive.
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It would be a pity to visit this lovely city without taking a boat trip on the Rhine to see it and the surrounding river landscapes. You'll receive unmatched views of the best places to visit in Cologne during an hour-long sightseeing cruise, such as the Hohenzollern Bridge, the Old Town's charming architecture, and the cathedral's twin spires.
The Rhine River Evening Panorama Cruise, a relaxing two-hour tour to view the city lit up, is one of the most well-liked activities in Cologne at night. During the three-hour Cologne Rhine River Dinner Cruise, you may see the scenery while dining from a buffet of local favourites.
Visit the NS Documentation Center of the City of Cologne if you're looking to discover more about life during the Nazi rule and its aftermath. This significant monument accurately portrays the atrocities committed by the National Socialist (Nazi) regime, mainly as they affected the people of Cologne.
The centre, also known as NSDOK, is a hybrid memorial site, immersive museum, and research lab housed in the real Gestapo prison. The sensation of going into the actual jail cells in the basement, where the writing of convicts is carved into the walls, is the most terrifying.