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.
The Dreikönigsschrein (shrine of the Three Holy Kings), the largest shrine of the Middle Ages, shines out from behind the high altar of the Kölner Dom. The shrine was made by the famous goldsmith Nikolas von Verdun after the relics were brought to Cologne in 1164 by Archbishop Raimund of Dassel. The 220 centimeters (86 inches) shrine has been accessible to visitors and pilgrims in its entirety since its restoration in 1973, having been severely damaged during an attempt to move it to safety during the French occupation. A golden wonder, the shrine boasts of elaborate reliefs depicting figures of apostles, evangelists, prophets and also Biblical scenes. A breathtaking sight, the shrine is a revered reliquary.
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.
The quaint Sankt Antonius church located in Leverkusen was built in 1664 on the grounds of a previous church that was washed away during the floods. Built to be flood-safe, the church reflects strong neo-Gothic influence with its sturdy brick facade and soaring tower. The church has a 19th-century organ built by the renowned organ builder Wilhelm Schaeben. The church is an important place of worship for the local community of the town. It also holds regular cultural concerts.
The Roman Catholic Sankt Dionysius Kirche dates back to the 12th Century. The elegant church features a slender Romanesque tower with a double window. A Baroque crucifix from the 18th Century depicting Jesus Christ, John and Mary completes the West side. The church was regularly restored and renovated until 1881, when the Franciscan monks decided to build a new church around the tower. Yet again in 1958, the new structure was replaced by another church.
Featuring a clock spire, St. Josef Neuss Church is a prominent religious landmark in the city of Nuess. With tall stained-glass windows and intricate interiors, this beautiful church is frequented by locals and tourists.
Katholische Kirche St. Maurinus is an important parish church of the St. Maurinus and Mary. Mentions of the church have been said to date back to 1311. The church has constantly been rebuilt over the years with the current facade dating 1844. External features of the church reflect strong Gothic Revival styling with a brick nave and classic semicircular apse. A ribbed vault and a tower soaring at a height of 41.20 meters (135 feet) are of particular prominence. The beautiful organ of the church features 22 registers.
Evangelische Kirch Solingen-Wald is a beautiful Neoclassical church with three naves which dates back to the 12th Century. When large portions of the original Romanesque structure was destroyed in the 19th Century, it was renovated and given its current form. The 12th Century tower still survives as a testament to one of the oldest churches in the city. The church is now considered a heritage site and is open to all.