Cologne, Germany: A Cultural Gem On The Rhine

Cologne, Germany's fourth-largest city, is a cultural hub with a rich history, vibrant nightlife, and a liberal, tolerant attitude. It is famous for its Gothic cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its annual carnival, which attracts over a million visitors. Cologne is also known for its local beer, Kölsch, and its thriving LGBTQ+ community. With its unique vibe, the city is considered one of the coolest in Germany.

Cologne Cathedral: A Gothic masterpiece, UNESCO site, and tallest cathedral in the world

Cologne Cathedral, officially the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter, is a renowned monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture. Construction began in 1248, but the building was not completed until 1880. Over seven centuries, successive builders were inspired by the same faith and a spirit of absolute fidelity to the original plans. The cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognised as an "exceptional work of human creative genius" and a testament to the enduring strength of European Christianity.

The cathedral is a High Gothic five-aisled basilica, with a projecting transept and a tower façade. It is the tallest twin-spired church in the world, standing at 157 metres (515 feet) and featuring the largest façade of any church globally. The towers for its two huge spires give the cathedral its distinctive silhouette, visible between the central train station and Cologne's old town.

The interior of the cathedral is just as impressive as its exterior. The original liturgical appointments of the choir are still largely intact, including the high altar, believed to be the largest in any Christian church, the carved oak choir stalls, the painted choir screens, and the fourteen statues on the pillars in the choir. The cathedral also boasts a great cycle of stained-glass windows, the largest extant early 14th-century collection in Europe.

Among the many artistic masterpieces within the cathedral, a few stand out. The Gero Crucifix, dating from the late 10th century, is the oldest large crucifix north of the Alps. The Shrine of the Magi, created between 1180 and 1225, is the largest reliquary shrine in Europe. It is traditionally believed to hold the remains of the Three Wise Men. Other notable works include the altarpiece of St. Clare in the north aisle and the altarpiece of St. Agilolphus in the south transept.

Cologne Cathedral is Germany's most visited landmark, attracting around six million people each year. Visitors can climb 533 steps to a viewing platform that offers panoramic views of the city, including scenic vistas over the Rhine River. The cathedral's enduring popularity reflects its status as a Gothic masterpiece and a symbol of European Christianity.

Cologne's beer: The city has a unique beer-drinking culture, with its own special glasses, pouring techniques, and language

Cologne, Germany, is a city with a rich history and a vibrant culture, and its beer is an integral part of its identity. The city has a unique beer-drinking culture, with its own special glasses, pouring techniques, and even a special language used in some pubs.

Kölsch, a light and refreshing beer, is the most popular beer in Cologne. It is a pale, top-fermented beer, traditionally served in small 200ml (6.7 fl oz) glasses called Stangen or Stange. These delicate glasses are often carried in 'wreaths', known as Kranz, which hold 11 of the small beers. The small servings ensure the beer stays cold and fresh, and the glasses are quickly emptied and refilled by attentive waiters.

The city's pubs and breweries are passionate about their Kölsch, with each pub and local usually loyal to their favourite brand. Discussions about which Kölsch is superior are passionately debated at the bar. The beer is so important to the city that there is even a Kölschtour, a walking tour of the city's historic centre, where visitors can learn about the beer's history, the unique Kölsch language, and sample the beer and local delicacies.

The annual Cologne Beer Festival, held in August, is one of the city's most popular events, celebrating the unique beer culture of the city. The carnival season, which starts on November 11th, is another highlight of the city's calendar, with Kölsch fuelling the festivities.

Cologne Carnival: One of the world's largest street festivals, with over a million attendees

The Cologne Carnival, or Karneval, is an annual celebration that takes place over a week in February or March, in the period between the new year and Ash Wednesday. It is one of the world's largest street festivals, with over a million attendees each year. The carnival is the biggest thing in Cologne, the single most important festival in the city, and the undisputed hub of Carnival celebrations in Germany.

The carnival is a week-long series of street parties, parades, and special events. The highlight of the carnival is the Rose Monday Parade, which attracts more than a million people into the city to celebrate. Over 200 floats, wagons, trailers, and cars participate in the parade, with approximately 13,000 people marching along. The parade route is 8km long and passes through Cologne's historic old city. The floats typically use dark humour or tongue-in-cheek hints to caricature politicians or comment on current events.

The carnival officially begins on Thursday, known as Weiberfastnacht, or Women's Carnival. Celebrations involve the tradition of women cutting off men's ties. The street carnival then starts in the Alter Markt (Old Market) square at 11:11 am on Thursday, and continues until the evening of Violet Tuesday. The carnival ends with the burning of the Nubbel, a scarecrow-like figure, in front of many pubs on Violet Tuesday.

During the carnival, people dress up in costumes and masks, and drink Kölsch beer. Kölsch is a light and refreshing beer that is the most popular beer in Cologne. It is traditionally served in 200ml (6.7 fl oz) glasses known as Stangen.

Cologne's LGBT+ community: The city is known for its tolerant attitude, with a thriving LGBT+ scene and a popular Gay Pride parade

Cologne, Germany, is known for its tolerant attitude and thriving LGBT+ scene. The city has a long history of LGBT+ tolerance and activism, and its people are recognised for their liberal attitudes, open-mindedness, and 'joie de vivre' (joy of life).

Cologne's LGBT+ community has much to offer, from bars and clubs to saunas and restaurants. The Bermuda Triangle, near Rudolfplatz, is a hub of LGBT+ venues, ranging from bustling bars to intimate clubs. The city also boasts two distinct gay scenes, one on each side of the Rhine River. The east side, known as Heumarkt-Mathiasstrasse, tends to attract an older crowd with its more traditional bars and clubs. In contrast, the west side has a newer, more urban scene, attracting younger crowds with its big, modern clubs.

Cologne's LGBT+ community comes together to celebrate diversity and inclusion through various annual events, the most notable being Cologne Pride (formerly known as Christopher Street Day). This event includes a large city-wide pride parade and a week of festivals, parties, and political forums. It is one of the biggest gay and lesbian events in Germany and Europe, attracting over a million visitors in some years. The political motivation behind Cologne Pride has achieved significant progress in equal rights and gay rights.

In addition to Pride, the LGBT+ community in Cologne also celebrates Carnival in November, Heavenue Gay Christmas Market in December, and Fetish Pride Week in June/July, which includes events like The Bull Party and the election of Mr Fetish North Rhine-Westphalia. The city is also one of the few in the world with a memorial sculpture honouring LGBTQ victims of the Holocaust.

Cologne's LGBT+ community is well integrated into the city's cultural life. The city is known for its art, literature, and music, with creative endeavours bursting from every street corner. It is also a university town, with a significant student population contributing to the vibrant and progressive atmosphere. Overall, Cologne's LGBT+ community is a shining example of diversity, acceptance, and celebration.

Eau de Cologne: The famous perfume was created in the city in the 17th century

Cologne, Germany, is a vibrant city with a rich history, a thriving culture, and a unique vibe. One of the country's oldest cities, it was founded by the Romans over 2,000 years ago and has since become a cultural and economic hub. The city is known for its joyous attitude, grand sights, and lively nightlife.

One of the things that makes Cologne special is its famous perfume, Eau de Cologne, which was created in the city in the 17th century. Here is the story of this iconic fragrance:

The Origins of Eau de Cologne

In 1709, Italian perfumer Giovanni Maria Farina (or Johann Maria Farina) formulated Eau de Cologne in the city that would become its namesake. Farina was inspired by the local herbs and fruits of Cologne, creating a light and refreshing scent that stood in contrast to the heavier fragrances of the time. In a letter to his brother Jean Baptiste, Farina described his creation as "a fragrance that reminds me of an Italian spring morning, of mountain daffodils and orange blossoms after the rain".

A Sensation in Royal Courts

Farina's Eau de Cologne was an instant success, becoming a sensation in royal courts across Europe. Its unique blend of citrus oils, including lemon, orange, tangerine, and bergamot, was a departure from the heavier fragrances of the period. The ability to produce a constantly homogeneous fragrance from dozens of monoessences was considered a sensation. A single vial of this "aqua mirabilis" (Latin for "miracle water") was highly prized, costing the equivalent of half the annual salary of a civil servant.

A Generic Term

The success of Eau de Cologne led to countless businessmen selling their own fragrances under the same name. When free trade was established in Cologne by the French in 1797, the market was flooded with imitations. Over time, "Eau de Cologne" became a generic term for scented formulations with a typical concentration of 2-5% essential oils, alcohol, and water.

A Secret Formula

Despite the many imitations, the original formula created by Farina remains a closely guarded secret. It has been produced in Cologne since 1709 and is still made by his descendants, who run the company to this day. The original shop, located at Obenmarspforten, is the world's oldest fragrance factory and now features a museum and fragrance shop.

A Symbol of Cologne

Eau de Cologne has become an integral part of the city's culture and heritage. The brand "4711", named after its location at Glockengasse No. 4711, is one of the oldest fragrances still produced in the world. The fragrance is so iconic that it has its own exhibition, where visitors can learn about its history and purchase the original scent.

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