Exploring Cologne, Germany: Events And Attractions

Cologne, Germany, is a city of contrasts, blending medieval structures with areas reconstructed to look as they did before World War II, and modern architecture. The city is known for its joyous attitude and party spirit, with its Carnival, Kölsch beer, and the Cathedral being central to its culture.

Cologne has a lot to offer in terms of sights and attractions, including the Cathedral, the Historic Old Town, and the 12 Romanesque churches, all of which are within walking distance of the Viking ship dock. The city also boasts beautiful parks, green spaces, and walking paths, as well as a thriving music and art scene.

Cologne's Left Bank, home to the Rhine, the Hohenzollernbrücke bridge, the Cathedral, and the train station, is a popular area to explore. Visitors can stroll across the bridge for wonderful views of the city skyline and enjoy the nearby Great St. Martin Church. The Old Town, with its cobblestone streets and colourful buildings, is also a must-see, offering a unique Cologne experience with its pubs, cafes, and squares.

For those interested in history, the Roman-Germanic Museum showcases the city's ancient Roman roots, and the EL-DE Haus, a museum located in the old Gestapo headquarters, provides insight into World War II and the city during that period.

Cologne's beer culture is another integral part of the local identity, with Kölsch beer served in many brewpubs around the city. Eau de Cologne, a famous perfume created in the city, is also an interesting part of its history and a popular attraction for visitors.

With its mix of old and new, vibrant culture, and numerous attractions, Cologne has something for everyone.

Cologne's Roman Roots

Cologne, Germany, was founded in the 1st century CE as the Roman Colonia Agrippina, in Germanic Ubii territory. The name was later shortened to Colonia, and it became the name of the city in its own right, developing into the modern German Köln. The city was founded by Roman legionaries, shortly before the birth of Christ, and was the central site of the Ubii, the Oppidum Ubiorum. The population of the settlement grew rapidly, and trade and crafts flourished. In 50 CE, the town was granted the status of a Roman colony by Emperor Claudius, at the request of his locally-born wife Agrippina, and was renamed Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium.

Colonia was a significant Roman city, with monumental stone buildings, temples, a palace, baths, paved streets, and an aqueduct. It was the capital of the Roman province of Germania Inferior and the headquarters of the Roman military in the region. It was also an important trade and production centre, with arterial roads leading to Boulogne-sur-Mer and Lyon. The city was home to a Jewish community, established by Emperor Constantine, and a Christian community, with the first known bishop, Maternus, elected in 313 CE.

Remains of Roman Cologne can be found in the present day, especially near the wharf area, where a 1,900-year-old Roman boat was discovered. Parts of the original Roman sewers are also preserved underground, and a Roman burial chamber in Köln-Weiden is considered the best-preserved underground burial site north of the Alps. The Romano-Germanic Museum in Cologne showcases the archaeological heritage of the city, featuring Roman glassware, goldsmith works, and burial goods.

The City's Medieval Structures

Cologne, Germany, is a city steeped in history with a rich medieval past. The city boasts numerous medieval structures, from churches and cathedrals to museums and old town halls. Here is an overview of some of the most notable medieval sites in Cologne.

Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom)

The Kölner Dom is the spiritual heart of Cologne and an iconic landmark. Built over seven centuries, the cathedral's construction finally ended in 1880. With its towering spires, the cathedral is an architectural marvel, housing a bejewelled reliquary said to contain the remains of the Three Magi.

Great St Martin Church

Located in the Altstadt (Old Town), the Great St Martin Church wins accolades for its handsome exterior. Built between 1150 and 1250, the church features four slender turrets grouped around a central spire. Although damaged during World War II, the church was meticulously restored and now stands as a testament to medieval architecture.

Basilica of St Ursula

The Basilica of St Ursula has a grim history. It stands on the site of a Roman cemetery where 11,000 virgins were allegedly buried after a massacre by the Huns. The 17th-century Golden Chamber, added to the basilica, houses their relics, with walls adorned with bones arranged in decorative patterns and Latin words.

Wallraf-Richartz-Museum

The Wallraf-Richartz-Museum is housed in a postmodern cube and showcases fine art from the medieval period to the early 20th century. The highlight is Stefan Lochner's 15th-century masterpiece, "Madonna and the Rose Bower".

Museum Schnütgen

East of the Neumarkt, the Museum Schnütgen is dedicated to Christian art, mainly from the medieval period. The museum surrounds the Romanesque church of St Cecilia and features exhibits such as carved ivory objects, illustrated manuscripts, and stained glass.

Kölnisches Stadtmuseum

The Kölnisches Stadtmuseum, once a medieval armoury, explores Cologne's history from the Middle Ages to the present. It features exhibits such as a large-scale town model, silverware of the city council, and displays on the Cologne Carnival and the city's famous Eau de Cologne.

Früh am Dom

Früh am Dom, established in 1904, exudes a medieval atmosphere with its dark wood panelling, pewter tankards, and leaded interior windows. This traditional beer hall is the perfect place to enjoy a pint of the local Kölsch beer.

Bierhaus en d'r Salzgass

Bierhaus en d'r Salzgass is a cosy traditional beer hall housed in a medieval building. It features religious décor, cosy corners, and a vast medieval iron light fixture on the ceiling. The kitchen serves Cologne specialities, including minced pork with black bread and onions.

Haxenhaus zum Rheingarten

Haxenhaus zum Rheingarten is an ancient house near the Rhine River in the Eisenmarkt area. Specialising in medieval cuisine, they serve haxen (ham on the bone), wild boar, and black beer. The interior is styled as a typical Brauhaus, with long pine-topped tables and panelled walls.

Cologne's medieval structures are a testament to its rich history and have been lovingly preserved or reconstructed. These sites offer visitors a glimpse into the city's medieval past and are an integral part of its cultural heritage.

Cologne's Cathedral

Cologne Cathedral, or Kölner Dom, is a Gothic cathedral in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is a renowned monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1996. It is Germany's most visited landmark, attracting an average of 6 million people a year. At 157 m (515 ft), the cathedral is the tallest twin-spired church in the world, the second tallest church in Europe after Ulm Minster, and the third tallest church of any kind in the world.

The construction of Cologne Cathedral began in 1248 but was halted in the years around 1560, unfinished. Attempts to complete the construction began around 1814, but the project was not properly funded until the 1840s. The edifice was 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 had planned a grand structure to house the reliquary of the Three Kings 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 built very solidly from a structural point of view. At the same time, however, the stone structure requires continuous maintenance and renovation. The cathedral's master builder, Barbara Schock-Werner, said: "Cologne Cathedral without scaffolding is not a pipe dream, but a nightmare. It would mean that we would no longer be able to afford the cathedral."

The cathedral is open to visitors and tourists. It is generally possible to pray or light a candle in the tower narthex during a liturgy. Mass is held at the cathedral at various times throughout the week. Visitors can also climb 533 steps to a viewing platform about 100 m (330 ft) above the ground, which gives a scenic view over the Rhine.

The Twelve Romanesque Churches

St. Maria im Kapitol, Cologne's largest Romanesque church, is located near the Heumarkt market square and was once the site of a Roman Capitoline temple. The church was initiated by a Benedictine abbess and granddaughter of Emperor Otto II in the 11th century and became the second most important church after Cologne Cathedral. Many authentic furnishings remain, including massive wooden doors with intricate carvings from 1065, stained glass windows, and a plague crucifix from around 1300.

Great St. Martin, located in the riverfront of Cologne's old town, was constructed in the 10th century. After being heavily damaged during World War II, archaeologists examined the foundations and discovered the remains of a Roman warehouse underneath the choir. The church's upper parts were meticulously reconstructed after the war, and it now features a minimalist interior, typical of a Benedictine church of that time.

St. Gereon is said to have been built on the grave of St. Gereon, a Roman officer who died as a martyr. The church has been enlarged and amended over the centuries, eventually reaching its enormous height and being graced with a decagonal roof. The interior features medieval murals, gold ornaments, and a domed ceiling with light flooding through colourful windows.

St. Pantaleon, located in the Altstadt-Süd quarter, is the oldest of the twelve Romanesque churches and features elaborate decorations from before the war. The interior is dominated by a filigree early Baroque organ, and a shrine holds the remains of Saint Alban, Britain's first martyr.

St. Maria Lyskirchen, built in the early 13th century, is the only Romanesque church that came out of World War II virtually undamaged, preserving its beautifully painted ceiling. The church features a few Gothic additions and some reconstructed upper parts from the 19th century but has largely maintained its original look.

The Basilica of St. Ursula was built on the site of a Roman cemetery, where, according to a saga, the 11,000 virgins of the legend of Saint Ursula were buried. The reliquary boasts four walls decorated with a mosaic of human bones, making it the largest of its kind. Until 1164, when the relics of the Three Wise Men were transferred to Cologne Cathedral, St. Ursula was the most important pilgrimage site in Cologne.

The City's Beer Culture

Cologne is known for its beer, called Kölsch. In fact, Kölsch is also the name of the local dialect, and locals joke that it is the only language one can drink.

Kölsch is a style of beer that originated in Cologne and has been brewed there since the early 20th century. It is a pale, top-fermented beer with a light and crisp character. It is brewed according to the Kölsch Konvention, which ensures that only breweries within the city limits can produce and market beer as "Kölsch".

Kölsch beer is traditionally served in small, cylindrical glasses known as "Stangen," holding around 200 millilitres of beer. This allows for frequent refills, keeping the beer fresh and cold. It is often served by "Köbes," the traditional waiters or servers in Cologne's breweries, who carry multiple glasses on a circular tray called a "Kranz."

Cologne is home to numerous breweries that produce Kölsch beer, including Früh, Gaffel, Reissdorf, and Sünner, each with its own unique recipe and brewing process. The city's oldest breweries include the Brauhaus Sion, which opened in 1511, as well as the Cölner Hofbräu P. Josef Früh am Dom and the Brauerei Päffgen, both over 100 years old.

The city's brewery restaurants, with their unique rustic charm and lively atmosphere, are an integral part of the Kölsch beer culture. Here, conversation flows easily, differences disappear, and people simply enjoy drinking and socialising together.

The Kölsch beer style is so important to Cologne that it has become an integral part of the city's cultural identity. It is deeply ingrained in local customs and traditions, often enjoyed during social gatherings, festivals, and the city's famous carnival celebrations.

Cologne also hosts several beer festivals throughout the year, the most notable being the "Cologne Carnival" or "Kölsch Carnival," which takes place in November and features parades, costumes, music, and, of course, plenty of Kölsch beer.

So, when in Cologne, be sure to immerse yourself in the city's beer culture and enjoy a refreshing glass of Kölsch!

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