The Locals Of Cologne: Understanding The German 'Kölner' Identity

Cologne, or Köln in German, is a city in Germany. The term Cologne is also used to refer to a type of perfume, originating from the city of Cologne. So, what are people from Cologne called? They are called Kölner in German, or Cologners in English.

Cologne's History

The German city of Cologne, known in the local language as Köln, has a rich and varied history. Founded in the 1st century CE as Colonia Agrippina in the Germanic Ubii territory, the name was eventually shortened to Colonia, and later, Köln.

Cologne was a significant trade hub during the Middle Ages, located on major trade routes between east and west, and was one of the largest cities in Europe during medieval and renaissance times. It was also an important ecclesiastical centre, with its original cathedral dating back to 1248. The current cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was built according to the original 13th-century plans, with the right half completed in the 1880s.

Cologne's commercial importance was due to its strategic position on the Rhine River, which was navigable by seagoing vessels, and its location on major land routes. The city was heavily bombed during World War II, with 95% of the Inner City destroyed, though the cathedral survived, having been built to flex and withstand such attacks.

Cologne has a reputation for being a relaxed, liberal, and tolerant city, with a thriving LGBT+ community. It is also known for its beer, Kölsch, and its dialect, also called Kölsch, though this is now less commonly spoken due to the dominance of high German.

Cologne's Culture

Cologne, Germany's fourth-largest city, is a major cultural centre for the Rhineland. The city is renowned for its festivals of contemporary music and high-quality literature from around the world, as well as its entertainment offerings.

History

Cologne was founded in the 1st century CE as the Roman Colonia Agrippina, from which its modern name is derived. During the Middle Ages, the city flourished as a key trade route between east and west, and it became an important centre of art and learning. Despite the almost complete destruction of the Inner City during World War II, Cologne's rich and varied heritage is still evident today.

Art and Literature

Cologne has a flourishing art scene that dates back to the Middle Ages. The city boasts a dense network of galleries, one of the world's oldest art fairs, and numerous events across every genre of art and culture throughout the year. It is also known for its festivals of contemporary music and literature from around the world.

Museums and Landmarks

In addition to its famous municipal museums, Cologne has numerous private museums, collections, and exhibition venues. The spectrum of museums ranges from traditional art museums to those specialising in technology, local history, cultural history, and even culinary history. The city is also home to Cologne Cathedral, the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The cathedral is the city's major landmark and unofficial symbol.

Street Art

Cologne is one of Germany's hotspots for street art. Several routes, guided tours, and specialised galleries offer visitors an insight into the street art scene. Much of this public art, including its messages of social criticism, can be found in neighbourhoods such as Ehrenfeld, the Belgian Quarter, and the city centre.

Performing Arts

Cologne has more than 60 music venues and is home to several orchestras, including the Gürzenich Orchestra and the WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne. The city also has a thriving nightlife, with centres such as the Kwartier Latäng (the student quarter) and nightclub-studded areas around Hohenzollernring, Friesenplatz, and Rudolfplatz.

Sport

Cologne is home to several sports facilities, including the Müngersdorfer Stadium. The city also has a long tradition in rowing, with some of Germany's oldest regatta courses and boat clubs. Other popular sports include ice hockey, football, and cycling.

Education

Cologne is home to numerous universities and colleges, including the University of Cologne, one of Europe's oldest and largest universities, and the Technical University of Cologne, Germany's largest university of applied sciences.

Business and Industry

Cologne is a major economic centre, with a diverse range of industries, including chemical, automotive, and aerospace. The city is also a major inland port and has five Rhine ports, making it one of the largest in Europe.

Cologne's Economy

Cologne is the fourth-largest city in Germany and the largest in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It is one of the key inland ports in Europe and has been a centre of trade and commerce for two millennia. The city's economy is primarily based on insurance and media industries, and it is also an important cultural and research centre.

Transport and Infrastructure

Cologne is one of the most important transport hubs in Western Europe, with excellent connections by land, sea, and air. It has five Rhine ports, the second-largest inland harbour in Germany, and is encircled by a motorway ring road. The newly designed Cologne main station is one of the most important rail hubs in Europe, and the Cologne-Bonn airport is the second-largest freight terminal in Germany.

Manufacturing and Industry

Cologne is an important centre for the automotive industry, with Ford's European headquarters and a factory located in the city. Toyota, Volvo, Citroën, Mazda, and Renault also have sites in the area. The city is home to the chemical industry, with around 48 companies and almost 23,000 employees, as well as biotechnology, mechanical and plant engineering, and electrical and mechanical engineering.

Media and Communication

The media and communication sector is crucial to Cologne's economy, with more than a third of the nation's TV programs produced in the city and over 55,000 people working in the industry. Major media companies based in Cologne include Westdeutscher Rundfunk, RTL Television, n-tv, and Deutschlandradio.

Education and Research

Cologne is home to many institutions of higher education, including the University of Cologne, one of Europe's oldest and largest universities, and the German Sport University. It also hosts three Max Planck science institutes and is a major research hub for the aerospace industry. The city has a distinguished research community in the fields of medicine and biotechnology.

Cologne's Sport

Cologne is a city in Germany with a rich sporting heritage. The city has several professional sports teams and has hosted numerous international sporting events. Here are some details about Cologne's sport scene:

FC Köln

The most well-known sports team in Cologne is 1. FC Köln, the city's main football club. They play at the RheinEnergieStadion, which was also a venue for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. The stadium has been recognised as one of the best sporting venues in the world by the International Olympic Committee and the International Association of Sports and Leisure Facilities. 1. FC Köln currently play in the 2. Bundesliga, the second division of German football.

Ice Hockey

Cologne is also home to the ice hockey team Kölner Haie, who play in the highest German ice hockey league, the Deutsche Eishockey Liga. They are based at the Lanxess Arena.

Horse Racing

Cologne has a long tradition of horse racing, with races taking place at Cologne-Weidenpesch Racecourse since 1897.

Marathon and Cycling

The city hosts the annual Cologne Marathon, which began in 1997, and the classic cycling race "Rund um Köln", which has been organised in Cologne since 1908.

Rowing

Cologne also has a strong tradition in rowing, with several old regatta courses and boat clubs located in the city, such as the Kölner Rudergesellschaft 1891 and the Kölner Ruderverein von 1877.

Motor Racing

Toyota Motorsport GmbH, Toyota's motorsports team, is based in Cologne. They have competed in various motorsport disciplines, including Formula One and the World Rally Championship.

Golf

Cologne is considered the secret golf capital of Germany, with the first golf club in North Rhine-Westphalia being founded in the city in 1906.

Other Sports

Cologne has also hosted international events in athletics, ice hockey, and handball. The city has a diverse range of sports facilities and is home to several other professional and amateur sports teams.

Cologne's Transport

Cologne is the fourth-largest city in Germany and is located in the west of the country, in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It is a major transport hub, with a comprehensive transport network.

Road

Cologne has a comprehensive road network, with the Bundesautobahn 555, the first German limited-access road, running between Cologne and Bonn. The city is encircled by the Bundesautobahn 1, forming a ring road around the city. The Nord-Süd-Fahrt is a major through-route that runs north-south through the city centre.

Rail

Cologne has an extensive rail network, with InterCity and ICE trains stopping at the city's main station, Köln Hauptbahnhof, as well as at Köln Messe/Deutz and Cologne/Bonn Airport. Regional rail services are provided by the Rhine-Ruhr S-Bahn, which has five lines running through the city. The Stadtbahn, operated by the Kölner Verkehrs-Betriebe, is a light rail system that serves Cologne and surrounding cities.

Air

Cologne Bonn Airport is the city's main airport and acts as a hub for Eurowings and cargo airlines. It is the second-largest freight terminal in Germany and also serves low-cost and leisure carriers.

Water

Cologne is one of the key inland ports in Europe. It has five Rhine ports, making it the second-largest inland port in Germany and one of the largest in Europe.

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