Cologne Overview
By Roz Andrews
One of the oldest cities in Germany, Cologne (Köln), in western Germany, was first settled in 38 BC. Roman relics, including an excavated mosaic floor, are on display in the Roman-Germanic (Römisch-Germanisches) Museum.
Cologne’s skyline is dominated by the majestic spires of its Gothic cathedral, an architectural masterpiece that took over 600 years to build. The relics of the Magi (Three Kings), given to the city in 1164, are entombed in an intricately carved golden shrine.
Take the long walk up the steep, narrow, stone steps to the top of the cathedral’s tower for a breath-taking, panoramic view of Cologne, the River Rhine and the surrounding area.
The old town (Altstadt) includes twelve Romanesque churches, built between the tenth and thirteenth centuries. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the Rhine and sample the local Kölsch beer, served ice-cold in long stemmed glasses.
Cologne is a city rich in culture with museums devoted to history, art, photography and even chocolate. The Wallraf-Richartz-Museum exhibits paintings from medieval times, while the Ludwig Museum has a large collection of Expressionist and other modern art. Find out how chocolate is made and sample the warm, liquid chocolate flowing from a giant fountain in the Chocolate Museum (Schokoladenmuseum).
Don’t leave Cologne without a bottle of the famous Eau de Cologne perfume invented by an Italian resident in the early eighteenth century. Go!
