The Cologne Travel Guide

Leonie Okkerse-Withers

Lived in a city about 17 miles from Cologne the first 29 years of my life. Whenever we came back from a trip, driving towards Cologne, it was always special to see the big cathedral (Dom) in the distance from the Autobahn, majestic, a symbol of strength and survival. And yes, the beer (Koelsch) is good, and all the good bread from the Merzenich bakery ... Do I miss that!

Dave Gallas

Cologne is also known as the city of churches. The coat of arms has the crowns of the three kings. If you ever get the chance please check them out. Cologne is also a Roman founded city, so the Roman museum next to the cathedral is interesting as well. Only place in the world where you will find real Koelsch bier. A little more body than a ... Read Morepilsner and not quite as strong as Diebles Alt from Issum just up the road.

Kathy McMaster Wolfenberger Carenza

The museums and chocolate factory and the Rheine and the friendly people make Kuln (Cologne) a must stop!!!

Emili Kuchler

Cologne is one of the most beautiful cities in GE. Don't miss the Chocolate Museum!

Susmitha Kupalli

WOW. I have been there so many times! I love the antique camera shop there...

Cologne Cathedral (Koelner Dom)

Cologne Cathedral (Koelner Dom)
[ source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Koelner_Dom.jpg ]

Begun in 1248, the construction of this Gothic masterpiece took place in several stages and 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. Granted UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 1996, the committee noted: Apart from its exceptional intrinsic value and the artistic masterpieces it contains, Cologne Cathedral testifies to the enduring strength of European Christianity.

The Shrine of the Three Kings is a reliquary said to contain the bones of the Biblical Magi, also known as the Three Kings or the Three Wise Men. The shrine is a large gilded and decorated triple sarcophagus placed above and behind the high altar of Cologne Cathedral. It is considered the high point of Mosan art and the largest reliquary in the western world.

In the tower visitors can climb 509 steps of the spiral staircase to a viewing platform about 98 metres above the ground. The cathedral treasury contains many valuable artworks and artifacts.

Hours: November - April 6am - 7:30pm. May - October: 6am - 10pm. Closed during Mass. Check the website for Tower and Treasure Chamber Hours

Admission: Combined Tower and Treasure Chamber: 5 € Adults, 2.50 € Children.

The Roman-Germanic Museum

Sepulcher of Poblicius, 40 AD
[ source: Wikipedia ]

The Roman-Germanic Museum (RGM, in German: Römisch-Germanisches Museum) has a large collection of Roman artifacts from the Roman settlement Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium, on which modern Cologne is built. The museum protects the original place of a Roman town villa, of which the large Dionysus Mosaic remains in its original place in the basement now, and the related Roman Road just outside. In this respect the museum is an archaeological site.

The museum also is the institution to preserve the Cologne Roman cultural heritage, and therefore preserves wonderful Roman glass from Roman funerals and burial. This archaeological function also includes the supervision of the Cologne underground, which is now under construction.

Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 10am - 5pm.

Admission: 5 € Adults, 3 € Concessions, Free for under 18 years.

Wallraf-Richartz-Museum — Fondation Corboud

Madonna in the Rose Bower, by Stefan Lochner, 1448
[ source: Wikipedia ]

The Wallraf-Richartz-Museum & Fondation Corboud is Cologne’s oldest museum and one of the foremost picture galleries in Germany. The museum invites you to come face to face with great masterpieces of European art. The Wallraf has one of the world’s leading collections of medieval painting, with Stefan Lochner’s Madonna of the Rose Bower as its greatest attraction. Other highlights include works by the Baroque masters, ranging from Rubens and Rembrandt to Murillo and Boucher, the German Romantics, French Realism, and Impressionism. Embark on a voyage through 700 years of art history. Thanks to the paintings from the Fondation Corboud, the Wallraf-Richartz-Museum has the widest collection of impressionist and neo-impressionist art in Germany. Manet, Monet, Renoir, Pissarro, Sisley, Morisot, Signac and Seurat are all represented by outstanding works, and van Gogh, Cézanne, Gauguin, Bonnard, Ensor and Munch herald the way to modernism.

Hours: Tuesday - Friday 10am - 6pm (open until 10pm on Thursdays), Saturday and Sunday 11am - 6pm.

Admission: Admission charges vary, depending on whether there is a special exhibition. Adults pay 6 € - 9 €.

Art of the Middle Ages Museum Schnütgen

Museum Schnütgen in Cologne
[ source: ]

In the former collegiate church of St. Caecilia one of the most important collections of medieval art in Europe is presented in unique surroundings. There are masterpieces of international standing stretching across 1,000 years: including wooden and stone sculptures, goldsmith work, bronzes and ivory, glass paintings, textiles, church furniture and hand-written scripts.

Hours: Tuesday - Friday 10am - 5pm. Saturday and Sunday 11am - 5pm.

Admission: Adults 3.20 €, Concessions 1.90 €, Free for under18 years.

The twelve Romanesque churches

Great St. Martin Church, Cologne
[ source: Wikipedia ]

Countless legends are told about the construction of the twelve Romanesque churches huddled together within the old city walls. The collegiate churches or monasteries are among the most important throughout Western Europe and document the growth and wealth of high medieval Cologne.

The Via Sacra ring encircles the old city center and interlinks the city’s Romanesque churches. Twelve of these precious buildings give an impression of Cologne’s importance during the Middle Ages. For centuries, the high crossing tower of Groß St. Martin has been a characteristic feature of the Cologne panorama, which is framed in the north by the twin-tower chancel facade of St. Kunibert and in the south by St. Severin. St. Gereon is the principal attraction in the northern Old Town. The church was named after a Roman officer who refused to fight Christians in Cologne. In the early 13th century, the Roman oval building of St. Gereon was integrated into its today decagon construction, a work of genius. St. Maria im Kapitol, built on the foundations of a Roman temple, is another significant construction of Romanesque art in the heart of Cologne’s Old Town.

Fragrance Museum Farina-Haus

Fragrance Museum, Cologne
[ source: Wikipedia ]

The Farina fragrance museum is situated across from the town-hall, and near the famous Wallraf-Richartz-Museum in the Obenmarspforten street in Cologne. Founded in 1709, John Maria Farina opposite the Jülichs Place is the eldest fragrance factory still standing and has housed the registered office since 1723.

The museum provides over several floors a very detailed insight into the production methods of perfume throughout the various stages. The focus is primarily laid on Eau de Cologne, and you will therefore discover some particular technical devices such as distillation apparatus which were once used. In addition to the equipment, you will also be able to witness the evolution thanks to various pictures and documents which help trace back history. Moreover, as copyright didn’t exist in those days, a great deal of imitations and forgeries of Eau de Cologne rapidly appeared on the market and a certain number of them are also presented in the museum. Further details as to the changes in the manufacturing of Farina Eau de Cologne are also on display.

Hours: Monday through Saturday 10am - 6pm, Sunday 11am - 4pm.

Admission: 5 €.

Chocolate Museum (Schokoladenmuseum)

Chocolate Museum, Cologne
[ source: Wikipedia ]

The Cologne Chocolate Museum provides an exciting insight into numerous aspects of history and modern times of chocolate and cocoa. Situated on the Rheinauhafen peninsula on the left banks of the Rhine directly in front of the Old Town near to Cologne cathedral, the Chocolate Museum seems a futuristic ship, made of glass and aluminium. Visitors reach the museum from the Rhine promenade over an old revolving bridge.

A tour of the exhibition extends over three floors of the museum and takes you on a journey through the 3,000 year history of chocolate – from the food of the Gods for the Aztecs to a modern industrial product.

Hours: Monday - Friday 10am - 6pm. Saturday and Sunday 11am - 7pm.

Admission: Adults 7.50 €, Concessions 5 €.

National Socialism Documentation Centre (EL-DE Haus)

National Socialism Documentation Centre (EL-DE Haus)
[ source: Wikipedia ]

EL-DE Haus, officially the Nazism Documentation Center, located in Cologne, is the former headquarters of the Gestapo and now a museum documenting the Third Reich.

The building was at first the business premises of Jewish jeweler Leopold Dahmen, and the building takes its name from his initials. In 1934, the Nazis seized the building from him and turned it into the headquarters of the secret police, the Gestapo. Surprisingly, the building survived the Allied bombing of Cologne during World War II, while 90% of the city was destroyed. After the bombings, the basements of the building, which had been used as prison cells and torture rooms for forced laborers and political enemies, were used to store wartime files and paperwork. Inscriptions made on the walls of the prison cells by inmates can still be viewed today. The building was the site of many executions, as well as deaths due to overcrowding and poor hygienic conditions.

In 2006, the National Socialist Documentation Center was awarded the Best in Heritage award, which is given to select museums.

Hours: Monday - Friday 10am - 4pm (open until 6pm on Thursday), Saturday and Sunday 11am - 4pm.

Admission: Adults 3.6 €, Concessions 1.50 €, Children under 18 years Free.

German Sports & Olympics Museum

German Sports & Olympics Museum, Cologne
[ source: ]

On around 2,000 square meters of exhibition and event area on two floors various aspects of all kinds of national, international and olympic sports are shown in a permanent exhibition and several changing exhibitions. Visitors can themselves be active at numerous points throughout the museum.

Hours: Tuesday - Friday 10am - 6pm. Saturday and Sunday 11am - 7pm.

Admission: Adults 5 €, Concessions 2.50 €, Family Card 12.50 €.

Cologne (official home page)