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.
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.
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.
Cologne's Old Town, often called Altstadt, is a district that includes narrow medieval houses between the Hohenzollern Bridge and the Severins Bridge that was once the trading center of the city. Where craftsmen and merchants, since approximately the 10th Century, displayed and offered their wares, has now become the entertainment quarter. Today the former market squares are still busy, especially the Alter Markt. At Heumarkt, archaeologists display finds which tell the story of life in the town in years gone by, while the Alter Markt is a traditional meeting-place during festivals, markets and the opening of Karneval.
Not only is Friedhofskirche zu Wuppertal one of the largest churches in the city but it is also one of the of the oldest structures in Wuppertal. Built between 1894-1898, it was brought to life by the famous Johannes Otzen and is utilized as a prime venue for organ concerts. Due to its large holding capacity, it is also a popular and favorite venue for weddings. Rich in history, architecture, worship, art and music, the church is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city.
Enjoy a tour of the Firla Gallery in Bonn that reveals the nuances of graphic art. The gallery is named after Siegfried Firla who was a renowned artist himself. It showcases the works of several modern artists like E. Bach, M. Chagall and J. Votteler. There are over 600 pictures and artworks that can be seen at the in-house art shop. One can also pick some handmade frames.
O edifício sacro de tijolos e betão do séc. XX lembra uma fortaleza medieval.
The egg-shaped dome of the St. Roch church stands symbolically for the resurrection of Christ, and the twelve pillars for the apostles. The building was built in 1954 as the successor of the Rochus Basilica, which stood on this site until the Second World War. The original church was almost completely destroyed during the war, and its ruins were finally demolished in the 1950s.