Top Rated Attractions in Cologne

The St. Gereon's Basilica is said to be the most beautiful medieval church in Cologne. Though the structure was mentioned in records dating back to 612, the church as seen today was built between 1151 and 1227. St. Gereon's Basilica is known for a unique architectural style where the nave is topped by a decagonal oval dome. The church was dedicated to St Gereon at a later date in June 1920. Archaeological evidence has suggested the existence of an earlier church dating back to the fourth century. The original site was supposedly referred to as Ad Sanctos Aureos i.e. the church of the Golden Saints.

Described by UNESCO as a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, the Cologne Cathedral or the Kölner Dom is an awe-inspiring world heritage site. The construction of this Gothic cathedral started in 1248 and took 632 years to complete. When the church was finally completed in 1880, it was one of the world's tallest buildings. The Dom stands an imposing 157 meters (505 feet) high and while climbing one of the towers may be quite an endeavor, the view from the top is definitely worth the effort. Located within the cathedral is the Treasure Chamber, which is home to significant religious artifacts, including the hooked staff of Saint Peter. The Cologne Cathedral is a well-known historic landmark that can't be missed.

In the mid-19th Century, there was a bridge connecting the two banks of the Rhein near the Kölner Dom. This bridge was jokingly known to the inhabitants of the city as the Muusfall - the Mousetrap. At the beginning of the 20th Century, it had to give way to the Hohenzollern Bridge, a half-timbered arch bridge that was designed to carry the railway. Although the bridge was destroyed in 1945 during the last few days of World War II, it was later rebuilt and is most notable for the thousands of 'love padlocks' that adorn the railings. One of the most photographed landmarks in Cologne, the arches of the bridge light up the night in a beautiful sight to behold.

It was Napoleon himself who in 1800 ordered that all burials should take place outside the city walls - in accordance with the burial traditions of Ancient Rome. As a result of this, the new central cemetery, Melaten-Friedhof, was opened on the site of a disused house a decade later. The cemetery contains numerous old trees which are home to all kinds of bird life, and between the trees lie two centuries-worth of graves and tombs, including many of the city's best known inhabitants.

View amazing religious artwork in one of the oldest museums in Cologne. Located on the site where the St. Columba Church previously stood, Kolumba was originally established in 1853 by the Society for Christian Art and it was called the Diocesan Museum (Diözesanmuseum), today this prestigious museum is now run by the Archdiocese of Cologne. Kolumba has an impressive collection of religious artwork and artifacts, including pieces from Late Antiquity.

The Rheinpark was established in 1913 and today is a beloved attraction for the citizens of Cologne. The park has several features such as the Claudius-Therme, an exclusive thermal bath, or a play area for the children. The Rheinpark was used as the venue for the national garden show and representative traces of this event remain even today. Sculptures and plastics are on view as you stroll around. The Tanzbrunnen, which is also a part of the garden also entices you with many open-air events and concerts.