Cologne, Germany: A Cultural Hub Of Art And History

Cologne, Germany, is a city of contrasts, with a mix of medieval structures, reconstructed areas designed to look pre-World War II, and modern architecture. It is famous for its joyous attitude, party spirit, and thriving music and art scene. Cologne is also known for its beer, called Kölsch, and its Eau de Cologne perfume, which has been produced in the city since 1709. The city's most famous landmark is the Cologne Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest cathedrals in Europe. The city is also home to twelve Romanesque churches and several museums, including the Roman-Germanic Museum, the Museum Ludwig, and the Chocolate Museum.

Cologne Cathedral

Construction of the cathedral began in 1248 but was halted around 1560 and left unfinished. Attempts to complete the construction began around 1814, but the project was not properly funded until the 1840s. The edifice was finally completed to its original medieval plan in 1880. The towers for its two huge spires give the cathedral the largest façade of any church in the world.

Cologne's medieval builders planned a grand structure to house the Shrine of the Three Kings, which contains the relics of the Three Wise Men, and fit for its role as a place of worship for the Holy Roman Emperor. Despite being left incomplete during the medieval period, Cologne Cathedral eventually became unified as "a masterpiece of exceptional intrinsic value" and "a powerful testimony to the strength and persistence of Christian belief in medieval and modern Europe".

The cathedral is a medieval building that was constructed very solidly from a structural point of view. However, the stone structure requires continuous maintenance and renovation. Repair and maintenance work is constantly being carried out, and the cathedral is rarely free of scaffolding.

The cathedral is open to tourists on working days (Monday to Saturday) between 10 am and 5 pm and on Sundays between 1 pm and 4 pm. Visitors can climb the 533 steps to the viewing platform, which is about 100m (330 ft) above the ground, and enjoy a panoramic view over all of Cologne.

Eau de Cologne

Cologne, Germany, is famous for Eau de Cologne, a perfume that has been produced in the city since 1709. The name translates to "Water from Cologne", and it has since become a generic term for scented formulations with a typical concentration of 2-5% essential oils, alcohol, and water.

The original Eau de Cologne was created by Giovanni Maria Farina, an Italian perfume maker who moved to the city. In a letter to his brother in 1708, he described his new fragrance as reminding him of "an Italian spring morning, of mountain daffodils and orange blossoms after the rain". The following year, Farina launched his spirit-citrus perfume in Cologne, naming it after his new hometown.

Farina's perfume was delivered to nearly all royal houses in Europe, and his ability to produce a constantly homogeneous fragrance was considered a sensation. A single vial cost half the annual salary of a civil servant. When free trade was established in Cologne in 1797, the success of Eau de Cologne prompted countless businessmen to sell their fragrances under the same name.

The Original Eau de Cologne 4711, developed in the 18th century by Wilhelm Mülhens and produced since at least 1799, is likely one of the oldest fragrances still produced globally. The name comes from its location at Glockengasse No. 4711. In 2006, the perfumes and cosmetics company Mäurer & Wirtz took over the brand and expanded it.

In modern times, the term "cologne" has become a generic term for perfumes marketed towards men in contemporary American English usage. It can also refer to a less concentrated, more affordable version of a popular perfume.

Roman ruins

Cologne, Germany, is home to a plethora of Roman ruins, which is unsurprising given that the city was founded in the 1st century CE as the Roman Colonia Agrippina. The city was the capital of the Roman province of Germania Inferior and served as the headquarters of the Roman military in the region until 462 CE.

One of the most notable Roman ruins in Cologne is the Praetorium, which was the seat of the Roman governor. The ruins are located in the old town and are accessible to visitors. Another notable site is the Teilstück römischer Abwasserkanals, or the Roman sewer tunnels, which can be accessed from the Praetorium under the City Hall. These tunnels feature beautiful brick curved walls and showcase the Roman influence on Cologne's infrastructure.

In front of the western entrance to the Cologne Cathedral, an arch from the former northern gateway into Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium (CCAA) can be found. The foundations of this gate and part of the defensive wall are visible in the underground garage beneath the open area next to the cathedral. Additionally, a 32-metre-long section of the wall, including the Lysolph Tower, and a 90-metre-long section of the curtain wall near the Cologne City Museum, offer a glimpse into the city's Roman past.

The Roman Tower, marking the northwest corner of CCAA, is perhaps the best-known structure in the ancient defences of the city. Standing at 10 metres tall, the Helena Tower in St-Apern-Strasse provides an impressive illustration of the defensive strength of these ancient towers.

Cologne's Roman city wall, almost four kilometres long with at least nine gates and 19 round towers, is a testament to the city's historical significance. Various sections of this wall can still be seen today, including a 160-metre-long portion between Alexianer-Strasse and Mauritiussteinweg, leading to the southwest corner of the wall at Griechenpforte.

Kölsch beer

Kölsch is a style of beer that is synonymous with the city of Cologne. It is a type of ale, with a straw-yellow hue, and is fermented with ale yeast before being conditioned at cold temperatures like a lager. This hybrid technique blurs the lines between ale and lager, resulting in a light and drinkable beer with a subtle fruitiness and spice, and a crisp, clean finish.

Kölsch is a protected product in the EU, with the term "Kölsch" having a protected geographical indication (PGI) since 1997. This means that, within the European Union, the name can only be used for beers brewed within 50 km of Cologne, according to the Kölsch Konvention, as defined by the members of the Cologne Brewery Association.

The process of brewing Kölsch is strictly defined and must adhere to the Reinheitsgebot, the German Beer Purity Law. It is warm fermented with top-fermenting yeast and then conditioned at cold temperatures. This is similar to the process used for Düsseldorf's altbier.

In Cologne, Kölsch is traditionally served in a tall, thin, cylindrical 200-millilitre glass called a Stange. The server, known as a Köbes, carries a Kranz, a circular tray resembling a wreath, which holds eleven or twelve Stangen. When a drinker finishes their beer, the Köbes immediately replaces the empty glass with a full one, marking a tick on a coaster under the glass. When the drinker is finished, they place the coaster on top of the empty glass to signal that they have had enough, and pay for the number of beers marked on the coaster.

Kölsch is a popular beer, not just in Cologne, but also further afield. Exports to the United States, Russia, Korea, China, and Brazil are increasing, and American craft brewers have also embraced the style.

Cologne Carnival

The Cologne Carnival is a yearly celebration that turns the city upside down. It is considered the "fifth season" of the year and is a time when the whole city comes together to celebrate, sing, and dance. The Carnival is a unique folk festival in the Rhineland that attracts millions of visitors each year and is considered one of the largest street festivals in Europe.

The Carnival officially starts on November 11 at 11:11 am, and the festivities continue until Ash Wednesday. However, the street Carnival, also known as the "crazy days", takes place between Weiberfastnacht (Women's Carnival) and Veilchendienstag (Violet Tuesday). During this time, the city is filled with revellers known as Jecken, who wear costumes, masks, and wigs, and participate in parades, parties, and other special events.

One of the most important traditions of the Carnival is cheering. Throughout the festivities, you will hear people shout "Kölle Alaaf!", which translates to 'Cologne Above All Else'. It is the unofficial slogan of the Carnival and is heard everywhere, from bars to the streets and even on the train.

The Carnival also includes the election of the Dreigestirn or triumvirate, consisting of the Jungfrau (maiden), Prinz (prince), and Bauer (peasant). These individuals pay a large sum of money for the privilege and play a significant role in the festivities. The prince, also known as "Seine Tollität" (His Madness), is considered the most important personage of the Carnival and leads the main parades. The maiden, or "Ihre Lieblichkeit" (Her Loveliness), is traditionally played by a man and symbolizes the patronizing mother Colonia. The peasant, or "Seine Deftigkeit" (His Heftyness), represents the boldness and influence of the old privileged imperial city of Cologne.

The highlight of the Carnival is Rose Monday (Rosenmontag), two days before Ash Wednesday. On this day, more than a million people gather in Cologne to watch the large parade, which includes floats, foot groups, dance groups, and music bands. The parade covers a distance of around 8 kilometres, and participants throw sweets and flowers to the crowd.

The Carnival comes to an end on Violet Tuesday with neighbourhood parades and the burning of the Nubbel, a straw-filled doll that serves as a scapegoat for all the transgressions committed during the Carnival season. This ceremony marks the end of the "fifth season" and restores the city to a state of innocent forgetfulness.

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