Exploring Cologne, Germany: A Week-Long Adventure

Cologne, Germany, is a city steeped in history, with impressive architecture, beautiful parks, delicious pastries, and riverfront dining. The city can be explored in 2-3 days, although some say even a day is enough. However, with its diverse attractions, from Romanesque churches to Roman remains, atmospheric bars, and chic cafes, Cologne is best explored over 3 days. This allows time to visit the famous landmarks and also enjoy the city's food and beverage scene without feeling rushed.

Some of the must-see attractions in Cologne include the Cologne Cathedral, the Roman-Germanic Museum, the Museum Ludwig, the Old Town, the Rhine River, the Hohenzollern Bridge, and the Cologne Chocolate Museum.

Cologne Cathedral

The cathedral's most famous feature is the reliquary of the Three Kings—a triple sarcophagus decorated with 12th-century reliefs depicting episodes from the life of key religious figures such as Jesus Christ, prophets, and apostles. The most celebrated work of art in the cathedral is the Shrine of the Three Kings, commissioned by Philip von Heinsberg, archbishop of Cologne from 1167 to 1191. It is believed to hold the remains of the Three Wise Men.

The cathedral is 157 metres (515 feet) tall, making it the tallest twin-spired church in the world, the second tallest church in Europe, and the third tallest church of any kind in the world. Visitors can climb 533 stone steps to a viewing platform about 100 metres (330 feet) above the ground, which gives a scenic view over the Rhine.

Roman-Germanic Museum

Cologne in Germany is a city steeped in history, with many attractions to visit. The Roman-Germanic Museum is one of the prime archaeological museums in the country and is located right next to the Cologne Cathedral. The museum is built on the site of a Roman villa discovered in 1941 during the construction of an air-raid shelter. It showcases various exhibits, including mosaics, statues, and other archaeological finds from the Roman era.

The Roman-Germanic Museum is responsible for preserving the Roman heritage of Cologne. Their collection includes Roman glass from funerals and burials, as well as everyday items like furniture, toys, and jewellery, which provide insight into what life was like during Roman times. One of the most fascinating exhibits is the tomb of Lucius Poblicius, a Roman officer, and the 3rd-century Dionysus mosaic, also known as the Greek God of wine. A 90-yard stretch of the Roman harbour road has been restored and can be found on the southern side of the museum.

The museum also houses the Romano-Germanic research centre, with archives relating to the archaeology of the city, documentation on historical monuments, and a specialist library containing 30,000 volumes.

The Roman-Germanic Museum is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm, with tickets priced at 8 euros for adults. It is located at Roncalliplatz 4, 50667 Cologne, Germany, and can be reached via the Hauptbahnhof subway station. Visitors can expect to spend around 2 hours at the museum.

Cologne has a lot to offer for a 2-day trip, including the famous Gothic Cologne Cathedral, the Old Town, and the Rhine River. The city seamlessly blends its ancient roots with modern attractions, making it a fascinating place to explore.

Museum Ludwig

Cologne, Germany, is a city that seamlessly blends its ancient roots with a modern twist. The Museum Ludwig, which opened in 1976, is an embodiment of this fusion. The museum is dedicated to modern and contemporary art, showcasing a range of artistic movements from Pop Art to Abstract and Surrealism.

The Museum Ludwig's permanent collection represents significant modern trends from the beginning of the 20th century to the present. It boasts one of the largest Picasso collections in Europe, with around 900 works by the artist. The museum also has the distinction of possessing the third-largest Picasso collection worldwide, after Barcelona and Paris. In addition to Picasso, the museum features many notable artists such as Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein.

The history of the museum is just as fascinating as the art it houses. In 1976, chocolate magnate Peter Ludwig agreed to donate 350 modern artworks valued at $45 million to the city of Cologne. In return, the city committed to building a dedicated "Museum Ludwig" for works created after 1900. The new building, designed by architects Peter Busmann and Godfrid Haberer, opened a decade later in 1986 near the Cologne Cathedral.

The Museum Ludwig has continued to expand and diversify its collection over the years. It incorporates the "Sammlung Haubrich," a collection donated by lawyer Josef Haubrich to the city of Cologne in 1946, featuring art from 1914 to 1939. The museum also includes the "Sammlung Ludwig," a collection of art by Picasso, Russian avant-garde, and American Pop-art artists on permanent loan from Peter Ludwig and his wife, Irene.

In addition to its permanent collection, the Museum Ludwig hosts temporary exhibitions that explore a diverse range of themes. For example, the exhibition "HERE AND NOW" questions conventional ways of exhibition-making and examines the museum's role as an institution. The museum also showcases contemporary photography, with one of Europe's largest and most significant collections of 19th and 20th-century photography.

The Museum Ludwig is committed to sustainability and social responsibility. It strives to protect people and nature, aiming for a greener future through various initiatives. The museum also offers a panoramic tour, providing virtual access to highlights from its collection for those who cannot visit in person.

Hohenzollern Bridge

The bridge was constructed between 1907 and 1911, after the demolition of the Cathedral Bridge, which could not handle the increasing rail traffic in Cologne. The new bridge was named after the House of Hohenzollern, the rulers of Prussia and German Emperors, as Cologne was part of the Prussian Rhine Province at the time. The Hohenzollern Bridge was inaugurated by Emperor Wilhelm II in 1911.

The bridge is known for its iconic twin towers, and offers stunning views of the river and the city skyline. It is a major transportation hub, with over 1,200 trains crossing it daily, as well as being a popular spot for tourists and locals to take in the views. The bridge is also famous for its love locks, where couples attach padlocks to symbolise their love, a custom that originated in Italy.

The bridge is around 400 metres long, and consists of six individual bridge decks, with the surviving equestrian statues of Prussian kings and German emperors from the House of Hohenzollern flanking each ramp. The Hohenzollern Bridge is illuminated in the evenings, making it a popular photo spot, with Cologne Cathedral in the background.

Cologne Chocolate Museum

The Chocolate Museum in Cologne is a chocolate lover's dream come true. Located in the Rheinauhafen (Rheinau Harbour), it is one of the most popular museums in the area, attracting 650,000 visitors annually. The museum offers a comprehensive and interactive journey through the 5,000-year history of cocoa and chocolate, with exhibits covering cultivation, trade, and production.

The Museum's Exhibits and Experiences:

Upon entering the museum, visitors are immersed in a world of chocolate. The exhibition space covers 4,000 square meters and includes:

• A walk-through greenhouse with cocoa trees.
• The famous chocolate fountain, a highlight for many, featuring 200 kilograms of flowing chocolate.
• A collection of historic porcelain and silver items from the 18th and 19th centuries.
• Exhibits from pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, showcasing the cultural significance of cocoa.
• Various historical industrial machines used in the chocolate-making process.
• A glass-walled production facility and chocolate workshop, where visitors can witness both mechanized and manual chocolate-making processes.

Tastings and Treats:

In addition to the exhibits, the museum offers a multitude of tasting opportunities. Visitors can indulge in:

• The famous chocolate fountain, where they can taste molten chocolate straight from the fountain on a wafer.
• The Chocolat Grand Café, offering delicious cake, chocolate specialties, and a magnificent view of the Rhine River. Here, one can enjoy chocolate fondue, drinking chocolates, chocolate cakes, fresh waffles, and more.
• The CHOCOLAT Shop, where one can purchase different varieties of Lindt chocolates.

Educational Aspects:

The Chocolate Museum also provides educational insights into the history and cultural impact of chocolate. Visitors can learn about:

• The technological sophistication of modern chocolate-making processes.
• The origins of cocoa in Mesoamerica and its 5,000-year cultivation history.
• The racist history of the chocolate trade, addressing the enslavement of Native Americans and racist depictions in advertising.
• Sustainability concerns and the future of the chocolate industry.

Practical Information:

The Chocolate Museum is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00, with various ticket options available, including online tickets to avoid waiting times. It is easily accessible by public transportation, and the walk from the Heumarkt tram stop takes about 8 minutes. The museum is closed on Mondays from January to March and in November, with changed opening hours during the Carnival.

Frequently asked questions