Locals hypothesize that the legacy of Italian blood and culture in Cologne, colonized by the Romans more than 1500 years ago, makes the people more jovial and lighthearted. Cologne is the largest city on the Rhine.
Kolsch is not only the dialect spoken here but, also the name of their own top-fermented beer. There are more than 4,000 pubs, restaurant's and brewery taverns in Cologne.
Unlike many of the world's large cities, Cologne, with a population of over a million, gets better every day, there are more things to do and see, more new and innovative buildings, and green spaces. Cologne is a major hub of business and industry, the self-styled commercial center of the West. The title is one that the city might have claimed as far back as the Middle Ages, for then and now the Rhine was one of Western Europe's main trade routes. It was also a leading member of the Hanseatic League.
The Romans left a lasting imprint on Cologne. The remains of their walls and buildings are scattered throughout the central area, and the layout of the city still reflects its Roman heritage. It is such a beautiful city. The best panoramic view is right across the river in the district of Deutz or from one of the bridges especially at night when the Cathedral is illuminated.
You should certainly, if travelling through Germany, make Cologne one of your stops.
The major sightseeing attractions of this ancient city lie within the Altstadt (Old Town), the section along the Rhine in the shape of a semicircle. The streets enclosing the Altstadt are called rings. They follow the route of the original medieval city wall, remnants of which today remain in three gates, which now houses museums and depots. Cutting through the center of town is the Hohestrasse; it is a straight street connecting the north and south Roman Gates. A walk from the Cathedral to Friesenplatz or Rudolfplatz, whether on a sightseeing or a beer-drinking
tour, is a good way to explore the inner city. The main shopping artery of Cologne is so narrow, that cars are not allowed, that means pedestrian friendly, which is so enjoyable when you are able to go from one luxury boutique or department store to the next without having to worry about cars.
The silhouette of the cathedral is very prominent as you cross any of Cologne's three major bridges spanning the Rhine, the Hohenzollernbrucke, the Deutzer Brucke and the Severins Brucke. Hohestrasse street runs south into Gürzenichstrasse; if you follow that west it becomes Schildergasse, which is another pedestrian zone leading into the huge Neumarkt area. Most of the hotels, shops, nightlife and sightseeing attractions lie within this central area, and are therefore within walking distance of one another.
The Dom (Cathedral), located at the Domplatz, is the spiritual and geographical heart of the city, the most overwhelming edifice in the Rhine Valley. Built on the site of a pagan temple and earlier christian churches, the majestic structure is the largest Gothic Cathedral in Germany. They started building the Dom in 1248; construction was halted around 1500 and resumed in 1823, to be completed in 1880. The Shrine of the Three Kings is the most important and most valuable object in the cathedral. If you climb the 509 steps of the Sudturm (South tower), you will have a great view of the Rhine, but even more spectacular is the Glockenstube (Bell House); it is only 400 steps up, but well worth the climb, here you will find the Dom's nine bells housed, including the Petriglocke, the world's heaviest working bell.
In 1941, while workers were digging an air-raid shelter, they discovered the Dionysos-Mosaik. This was found to be from the third century AD. The mosaic was once the decorative floor of the main room of a large Roman Villa.
It was named Dionysos, because of its octagons and squares, within the elaborately decorated colored work, are pictures dealing with the Greek god Dionysus, the god of wine and dispeller of care. The mosaic is housed in the Roman-Germanic Museum.
The Wallraf-Richartz Museum / Museum Ludwig located on Bishofsgartenstrasse 1, is just a short walk from the Domplatz. This is Cologne's oldest Museum, begun in the 19th century with a collection of Gothic works by Cologne artists, as well as works from medieval days through the Renaisance. These two museums actually form the core of Cologne's art scene.
The Schnutgen Museum, on Cacilienstrasse 29, is housed in the Romanesque church of St. Cacilien (St. Cecilia). This has to be a curator's dream. Beautiful works of art are displayed in their original surroundings. Some of the works diplayed are several medieval tapestries. There is also an abundance of Madonnas, carved in stone, wood and metal.
There is only one consumer product besides Kolsch that is unique to Cologne and that would be 4711 eau de cologne.
Yes, this is where eau de cologne came from, not France. It was first made by the Italian chemist Giovanni Maria Farina, who settled in Cologne in 1709. Cologne water is still produced in the city.
On the whole, prices are expectedly high, although bargains of a sort can be found. Interesting finds can be made in the many antique shops. Particularly worth a visit is Germany's oldest art auction house Kunsthaus Lempertz, founded in 1802, or the Bazaar de Cologne on the Middlestrasse, has mainly high fashion, shoes, accessories, interior decorator's shops as well as restaurants; the overall atmosphere is out of the Mediterranean.
Why not visit the pedestrian areas of the city.
The traffic-free Hohestrasse is the main shopping artery, the largest store in this area is the Kaufhof Department Store, which has a little bit of everything. There are numerous other shops in the pedestrian area and all over the city.
To learn more about Germany's states, read our articles:
Locals hypothesize that the legacy of Italian blood and culture in Cologne, colonized by the Romans more than 1500 years ago, makes the people more jovial and lighthearted. Cologne is the largest city on the Rhine.
Kolsch is not only the dialect spoken here but, also the name of their own top-fermented beer. There are more than 4,000 pubs, restaurant's and brewery taverns in Cologne.
Unlike many of the world's large cities, Cologne, with a population of over a million, gets better every day, there are more things to do and see, more new and innovative buildings... more
Travel is an opportunity to learn, whether geography, languages, history or other subjects.
The Romans left a lasting imprint on Cologne. The remains of their walls and buildings are scattered throughout the central area, and the layout of the city still reflects its Roman heritage. It is such a beautiful city.
The silhouette of the cathedral is very prominent as you cross any of Cologne's three major bridges spanning the Rhine, the Hohenzollernbrucke, the Deutzer Brucke and the Severins Brucke. Hohestrasse street runs south into Gürzenichstrasse; if you follow that west it becomes Schildergasse, which is another pedestrian zone leading into the huge Neumarkt area. Most of the hotels, shops, nightlife and sightseeing attractions lie within this central area, and are therefore within walking distance of one another.
In 1941, while workers were digging an air-raid shelter, they discovered the Dionysos-Mosaik. This was found to be from the third century AD. The mosaic was once the decorative floor of the main room of a large Roman Villa. 
There is only one consumer product besides Kolsch that is unique to Cologne and that would be 4711 eau de cologne.