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.
Museum Ludwig had its beginnings in 1976 when Peter and Irene Ludwig donated 350 works of contemporary artists. Works by artists like Warhol, Lichtenstein and Segal line the halls of this museum, which focuses primarily on 20th Century art. Visitors can study works of the Russian Avant-Garde from 1906-1930 as well as pieces on permanent loan by Pablo Picasso. Museum director Kasper König is interested in creating a dialogue with visitors; he encourages people to engage with the museum rather than being mere passing observers, so come equipped with your thinking caps! On the first Thursdays, the museum is open till 10p.
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.
Steeped in legend, countless songs and stories have been written about the picturesque Rhine River. The inhabitants of Cologne may not have found the Nibelungen gold, which was said to shimmer at the bottom of the Rhine, but the river has still provided the city with economic influence. Cologne has been a river-port ever since the Romans founded their city of Colonia on the bank of the Rhine. Nowadays, more than ten million tons of goods are turned over in the docks each year.
Designed by Oswald Mathias Ungers and opened in 2001, the neo-cubist Wallraf-Richartz-Museum is the perfect backdrop for exhibitions of post-15th Century European art. You'll find a stunning collection of Medieval works as well as neo-impressionist and impressionist art. Visit the second floor to see the Print Room which holds priceless drawings, including sketches by Leonardo da Vinci. There is also an onsite shop and cafe. This museum is a must-visit for all art lovers.
Located on Schanzenstrasse within the Carlswerk building in Köln-Mülheim, Depot 2 is an alternative venue of the Schauspiel Köln situated nearby. It is a smaller counterpart of the adjacent Schauspiel Köln im Depot 1, and seats nearly 250. The venue hosts both contemporary and classical theater performances.
Metropol Theater situated on the busy Eifelstrasse in the heart of Cologne is a repertoire theater that performs classical theatrical productions for the fans of performing arts in the city. The talented ensemble at this theater collaborates with other theater companies in the city to come up with exciting performances. Musicals are performed at Metropol Theater in collaboration with top orchestras in the city. The intimate nature of this theater brings the performance to life and makes you feel part of it.
Freewalk Cologne is a tour company that organizes walking tours for both locals and tourists. Not only do you get the chance to explore the more famous tourist attractions, but the knowledgeable tour guides also show you around a few hidden gems. While providing visitors with all the facts and figures to the various tourist attractions, the tour guides also infuse the tours with a lot of humor ensuring that people have a great time. Although the tour is free, donations are expected.
The "Seven Mountains" are located to the east of Bonn, on the right side of the Rhine. From more than 40 hills, these seven are easy to recognize. All the hills are remains of the Siebengebirge volcano, which formed the shape of this area about more than 20 million years ago. The highest mountain in this range is the Große Ölberg, with the TV mast at its summit, but the best known mountain is the Petersberg on whose summit the former guest house of the government is located. Just as well known is the Drachenfels, which is a popular day trip. In addition, the Wolkenburg, Löwenburg, Lohrberg, Nonnenstromberg, Perlenhardt, and the Stenzelberg also belong to the Siebengebirge mountain range.
Kunstakademie Düsseldorf is a highly acclaimed art school, housed in a three-story building in Old Town. First established at the beginning of the 18th century, it has trained such greats as Joseph Beuys and Gerhard Richter. Offering a wide range of subjects, the public is welcomed in once a year to see the students' works.
What started out in a small room in a pub, went to become a popular theater in Dusseldorf, Germany. Kommödchen was established in 1947 and was initially a favorite political satire comedy stage and over the years has grown and expanded to a comedy theater. They take pride in welcoming amateurs and professional artists and the acts are enjoyed by locals and tourists alike.