Exploring Cologne, Germany: History, Culture, And Ancient Landmarks

Cologne, Germany, is famous for its joyous attitude and party spirit. The city is known for its Gothic cathedral, the Carnival, the beer known as Kölsch, and Eau de Cologne, a perfume created in the early 18th century.

Cologne's Cathedral of St. Peter, officially the most visited landmark in Germany, is a masterpiece of High Gothic architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is also known for its 12 Romanesque churches, its lively pub culture, and its thriving music and art scenes.

Cologne is the largest city in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia and the fourth-most populous city in Germany. It is a major cultural centre in the Rhineland, hosting more than 30 museums and hundreds of galleries.

Cologne Cathedral

The cathedral is dedicated to St. Peter and officially known as Hohe Domkirche Sankt Petrus (Cathedral Church of Saint Peter). It is the seat of the Archbishop of Cologne and the administration of the Archdiocese of Cologne. It is a masterpiece of High Gothic architecture, with huge spires that dominate the city's skyline. The cathedral is built from different types of rock and features intricate details such as flying buttresses and a forest of small spires on the exterior.

The interior of the cathedral is just as impressive, with tall columns, ribbed ceilings, beautiful stained glass, paintings, statues, detailed mosaic floors, and ironwork. The most significant artifact is the Shrine of the Three Kings, which holds a large gold-covered sarcophagus said to contain the bones of the Three Wise Men. Other notable artworks include the Gero Crucifix, the Mailänder Madonna, and various altarpieces.

The cathedral has a rich history, having been damaged during World War II and later restored. It is a symbol of the enduring strength of European Christianity and has become an integral part of Cologne's culture and identity. Visitors can climb the 533 steps to the viewing platform and enjoy a panoramic view of the city.

Cologne's beer and dialect

Kölsch, the beer and the dialect, are two of the many reasons why Cologne is famous.

The Beer

Kölsch is a style of beer that originated in Cologne, Germany. It is a type of ale that is bright and clear with a straw-yellow hue. It is warm fermented with top-fermenting yeast and then conditioned at cold temperatures like a lager. In 1997, Kölsch became a product with protected geographical indication (PGI) within the European Union, indicating a beer that is made within 50 km of the city of Cologne and brewed according to the Kölsch Konvention as defined by the members of the Cologne Brewery Association.

Kölsch is traditionally served in a tall, thin, cylindrical 200-millilitre glass called a Stange. The server, called a Köbes, carries eleven or twelve Stangen in a Kranz, a circular tray resembling a crown or wreath. If you order "a beer" in Cologne, you will be served a Kölsch, and your glass will be refilled until you signal that you've had enough by placing a coaster on top of your glass.

The Dialect

Kölsch is also the name of the local dialect, which is actively spoken by about 250,000 people, roughly one quarter of the city's population. Almost all speakers are also fluent in standard or high German, and it is widely understood in a region inhabited by some 10 million people. The dialect has unique sounds and pronunciations compared to standard German, and it has been influenced by various languages throughout history, including French, Prussian, Dutch, English, and more recently, by migrants from Southern Europe and Turkey.

Kölsch has its own vocabulary and expressions that are specific to the region, and there have been efforts to preserve and promote the dialect through local associations, cultural events, and even radio stations. While it is not commonly taught in schools, there are extracurricular offerings, and there are also theatres that perform exclusively in Kölsch.

So, if you ever find yourself in Cologne, be sure to try both the Kölsch beer and the Kölsch dialect!

Cologne Carnival

The Cologne Carnival is a huge deal in the city, attracting over 2 million visitors each year. It is the biggest carnival in Germany and the single most important festival in Cologne. It is a week-long series of street parties, parades, and special events, with a history that dates back to Pagan times before Christianity.

The carnival is also known as the "fifth season" and starts on the 11th of November at 11 minutes past 11 am. The carnival spirit is suspended during Advent and Christmas, and then resumes after Epiphany on the 6th of January. The time of merrymaking in the streets is officially declared open at downtown square "Alter Markt" on the Thursday before the beginning of Lent. The street carnival, also called "the crazy days", takes place between Fat Thursday (Weiberfastnacht) and Ash Wednesday (Aschermittwoch). The highlight of the carnival is Rose Monday (Rosenmontag), two days before Ash Wednesday.

During the carnival, people in Cologne go out in fancy dress and masks, partying in bars and in the streets. There are numerous parades, including a ""ghost parade" on the Saturday evening before Carnival, and a colourful parade of schools and smaller carnival clubs on Carnival Sunday. The main parade on Rose Monday attracts more than 1 million people and is considered one of the largest parades in Germany. The carnival ends with the burning of the Nubbel, a straw doll that serves as a scapegoat for the celebrants' transgressions, on the night of Ash Wednesday.

The typical greeting during the carnival is "Kölle Alaaf!", which translates as 'Cologne Above All Else'. It is derived from a medieval toast: "All ab" (All-av). The carnival is also a time for music, with local bands writing and producing music dedicated to the event. There are over 10,000 songs on Spotify about Cologne and the carnival.

Roman ruins and medieval structures

Cologne, Germany, has a rich history that dates back to the time of the Roman Empire. The city was founded in 50 AD and was known as "Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium". It served as an important Roman settlement and later became a influential merchant stronghold during the early Middle Ages due to its strategic location on the Rhine River.

Roman Ruins

Cologne boasts several well-preserved Roman ruins that showcase its ancient past. Here are some notable examples:

• Roman City Wall: The almost four-kilometre-long defensive wall surrounded the city and had at least nine gates and 19 round towers. Recent excavations revealed that it was constructed at the end of the 1st century AD. Sections of this wall can still be seen in various parts of the city, including near the Cologne City Museum and St-Apern-Strasse.
• Roman Tower: This structure marks the northwest corner of the ancient city and has drawn the attention of citizens and tourists for centuries.
• Helena Tower: Standing at 10 metres tall, this tower gives an impression of the defensive strength of ancient Roman towers. It is located near the 'Roman Tower' in St-Apern-Strasse.
• Mars Gate: Also known as 'Markttor' (Market Gate), this was the most important gate facing the Rhine River. It was demolished in 1545, but its memory is preserved in street names and inscriptions.
• Roman Villa Mosaic Floor: Discovered during excavations near the cathedral in 1941, this mosaic floor belongs to a banquet hall in a Roman villa. It is now incorporated into the Roman and Germanic Museum.
• First-Century Tower: A well-preserved tower from the earliest city wall, dating back to the 1st century AD.
• North Gate Remains: The foundations of the North Gate and part of the defensive wall can be seen in the underground garage beneath the open area next to the cathedral.
• Roman Ruins Under Cologne Cathedral: Beneath the Cologne Cathedral lies a functional parking garage that houses ancient Roman ruins. These ruins include the foundation and lower part of the city wall enclosing the early Roman settlement.

Medieval Structures

In addition to its Roman ruins, Cologne is also home to numerous medieval structures that reflect its prosperous past as a merchant centre during the Middle Ages. Here are some notable examples:

• Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom): The Cologne Cathedral is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Construction began in 1248, and the choir was completed and consecrated in the early 14th century. The cathedral features stunning 14th-century stained-glass windows and houses art treasures such as the Shrine of the Three Kings, considered one of the finest examples of medieval goldwork.
• Romanesque Churches: Cologne is known for its magnificent Romanesque churches, including Sankt Gereon, Sankt Severin, Sankt Ursula, Sankt Maria im Kapitol, Sankt Kunibert, Sankt Pantaleon, Sankt Aposteln, and Gross Sankt Martin. These churches underwent restoration after sustaining damage during World War II.
• Overstolzen House: A 13th-century Romanesque house that has been reconstructed after suffering damage during World War II.
• Town Hall: The Gothic Town Hall, with its 16th-century porch, has been restored to its medieval form on the outside. It houses the remains of the Praetorium in its basement.
• Gürzenich: The Gürzenich was the banquet hall of the city's merchants, built between 1441 and 1447. It has been reconstructed and now serves as a concert and festival hall.
• Arsenal: The 16th-century Arsenal, which now contains a historical museum, has been restored to its medieval form on the outside.
• Medieval Gates and Towers: Three of the original 12 gates survive: Eigelstein Gate, Hahnen Gate, and Severins Gate. The medieval Bayen Tower stands near the Rhine River.

Eau de Cologne

Cologne, Germany, is famous for its Eau de Cologne, a perfume that originated in the city and has since become a generic term for scented formulations with a typical concentration of 2–5%.

History

The original Eau de Cologne was created by Giovanni Maria Farina (also known as Johann Maria Farina) in 1709. In a letter to his brother Jean Baptiste, Farina described the fragrance as reminding him of:

> an Italian spring morning, of mountain daffodils and orange blossoms after the rain.

Farina named his fragrance Eau de Cologne, or "Water from Cologne", in honour of his new hometown. Farina's perfume was used only as a perfume and was delivered to nearly all royal houses in Europe. The ability to produce a constantly homogeneous fragrance consisting of dozens of monoessences was seen as a sensation at the time.

Ingredients and Variations

The Original Eau de Cologne 4711 is one of the oldest fragrances still produced in the world and has been manufactured in Cologne since at least 1799. It was developed in the 18th century by Wilhelm Mülhens.

Cultural Significance

The Eau de Cologne created by Farina was so famous that it was brought to the Ottoman Empire during the reign of Abdülhamid II. Offering rose water to guests was common in the Ottoman Empire at the time, but the tradition of offering cologne began after Farina's cologne became popular. Today, in most houses in Turkey, cologne is offered to guests whenever they visit.

Frequently asked questions