And why Cologne city should be on your list…
As the train crosses the Rhine, strain for a view of the iconic twin spires of the mammoth Cathedral towering over the narrow gables and high slated roofs of Germany’s 2000 year-old city, Cologne or Koln. You fight the urge to walk into its hallowed interiors directly from the station that’s just 20 meters away. But the moment your wheeled baggage is out of the way, you’re back. This is ground zero…all roads start and end here.
Its not unnatural to feel dwarfed while you stare at the nearly 160-metres high Cathedral dominating the small square of Domplatz. This monumental masterwork of Gothic architecture and one of the tallest churches in the world lays claim to being the longest ever building site – 632 years (1248 to 1880). While reminders of Milan’s Duomo flash through your mind, chew on this. Cologne was the first city the Pope visited after Vatican. That says something!
On the west facade, (the largest church façade ever created), soar the two imposing 157-metre spires crowned with magnificent filigree spires. Statues, pinnacles, gargoyles, flying buttresses and other complex decorative details fill the exterior of a relatively simple structure, which is completely covered with black soot (from extensive coal burning in homes and factories over the centuries). Doesn’t the blackness make it more endearing?
Entering the sacred tranquillity, take in the details slowly…what a miraculous survival through the extensive bombing during the World War II. Two aisles run on either side of the main nave, and your neck almost gets a cramp from looking up what was one of the highest Gothic vaults in the world. Natural light floods in with rainbow colours through the large stained glass windows covering a sprawling 10,000 square meters expanse. Gape at the real treasure…the Sarcophagus of the Magi, dating to around 1200, glittering with seven feet of silver and jewels, images of the Old Testament prophets lining the bottom and the 12 apostles decorate the top. Inside, are three golden-crowned skulls believed to belong to the Three Magi. Also on display is the Gero Cross, carved in 976 AD and said to be the oldest surviving monumental crucifix. Watch, study and tread on in revered silence, like everyone else.
Outside, a few steps from the Cathedral on the right, spot the famous Ludwig Museum…it contains many important works of art from the 20th century, including works by Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein, as well as contemporary art. Nearby, is the Cologne Philharmonic Hall, and a little further ahead, crossing one of the narrow streets, is the arch-shaped Hohenzollern Bridge stretching across the Rhine. It is lined with statues of the rulers of the House of Hohenzollern – Friedrich III and Wilhelm II – who give the bridge its name. More popularly called the Locking Bridge, it has hundreds of locks placed by couples in declaration of their love. Make a declaration of your own.
Explore the streets of the old town…typical German pubs crammed with noisy, playful crowds. Fit into the canvas of quaint old houses, cobbled streets and little squares, every now and then, an Eau De Cologne (‘water of Cologne’) store with the familiar gold and turquoise ‘4711’ fragrance bottles. At the Printen Schmitz, Cologne’s most famous traditional pastry shop, you are besieged by armies of candy-studded gingerbread men, mountains of spiced loaves and hordes of edible mini houses…spicy and sweet, flavoured with honey, coriander, cloves and cardamom, almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts and even candied fruit. “Run, run, fast as you can, you can’t catch me, I’m the gingerbread man!” the song resounds in your head, amidst the lively music of the shop. Compelled enough to complete a small purchase?
Roam around the old town, lapping up little details, poking into the quaint by-lanes. A bright red-coloured building announces the enticing menu of Ponchos, an Argentinian steakhouse. Next door, outside the historical beerhouse, a boisterous crowd prepares for a late night of partying. A few steps away, is a group of men dressed as clowns in what looked like multicoloured post-it pyjamas and matching top hats with bright blue long coats. One of them is fixing a camcorder onto a tripod. A crazy bachelor party, perhaps?
Close to the Rhine river promenade (Rheinauhafen), soak up the atmosphere of the historic breweries, taverns, and traditional houses that stand in neat rows. Pose by the two statues of Tünnes and Schäand representing the typical original inhabitants of the city. Find the famous Schmitz Column – a homage to the most common name in the city and the modest Willi Ostermann Fountain, memorial to the much-loved carnival singer-songwriter and composer. Wander into the Alter Markt, thinking about its evolution from a weekly market and a place of execution in the Middle Ages, to the annual Cologne carnival parade spot it is now. Locate the Jan-von-Werth Fountain associated with the legend of the unfortunate love affair between the soldier Jan and the maiden Grit. Think of other classic love stories from around the world and the towns that rise to fame because of them. Love endures beyond space and time!
And finally, indulge in the penultimate Cologne experience… a day-long river cruise to Mannheim along the widest and longest river valley in Europe. The calm luxury cruise ship steadily navigates the 800 mile-long mighty river, and within minutes, the chargrilled black twin spires of the cathedral fade into the background. Sit back and skim along the Rhine, silently savouring the spectacle of everyday life.
Riverside promenades dotted with joggers, cars, cyclists and camper vans. Rows of lovely houses with glass walls and manicured lawns lined up high over the banks. An intermittent castle crowning a hill, a solemn church spire hiding between the trees, a private villa nestling in the wooded environs and green terraced vineyards decking the steep hillsides. Several few towns huddled along the shoreline. Glide along…taste the restful, leisurely pace.
The ship’s loudspeakers hum on pleasantly with local tales. Medieval castles owners who raised heavy chains across the river to stop merchants boats for taxes. A pontoon bridge built by the Prussians while confronting Napoleon. The Ludendorf bridge pillars, where American soldiers had marched across during the World War II. You cross Bonn, the university city, capital of Germany till 1999 known for the Central Bonn museum mile and the annual Beethoven festival (Beethoven was born here). Further ahead, lies the Wesseling church, and the colorful town of Linz with its 14th century castle and half-timber houses. Ahead, where the Bach River flows into the Rhine, the character of the river changes, the waves get fatter and the waters rough. Buses, cars and tempos are getting transported in massive barges across.
The river is the central theme here, the main lead in this play, leading the story along. And what a role it has played, for centuries at a stretch! So when you finally disembark at Cologne, I bet the one word in your mind would be ‘encore’.
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100cobbledroads.com 
Hahaha, when I visited Cologne last year for Carnaval it was everything but tranquil, but I am happy to hear that it is actually not as chaotic during the rest of they. Funnily enough, I was reminded of the Duomo in Milan as well when I first saw the Cologne Cathedral. Unfortunately, due to the ongoings of Carnaval we were not able to go inside though 😦 But since I also would love to do a river cruise as well this gives me an even better reason to go visit Cologne soon again 🙂
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Visiting cities during mega festivals has its pros and cons 🙂 Would love to know about how you experience Cologne at a different time of the year.
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The rhine looks very tranquil!!! Those breweries look very fun 🙂
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Thanks for stopping by!
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I only visited Cologne once and stayed in the heart of the city. Looks like if I went a further down the river the scenery gets better. I didn’t mind the city, apart from the cathedral and a few bars, it was an average city to check out and I got a bit bored after day two. But thats me. Looks like you guys had a better time than I did. 😀
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We loved it!! Personal choices 🙂
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How miraculous is it that the cathedral survived WWII bombing. It’s as if the big guys was watching out for it. Eau de Cologne sounds a lot better than Eau de Toilette for sure and the river cruise looks like a perfect way to see the countryside. Cologne sounds like a beautiful town to visit.
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Now that I’ve written about it and relived all my memories, I feel an even stronger love for Cologne.
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I have always wanted to visit Germany in the autumn because of such lovely pictures, such as yours, in yellow and red. Cologne’s first look at the cathedral reminds me of the Gothic cathedral in Vienna, it looks pretty much similar in the architecture to this one. Also, a stroll along the Rhine with such lovely views seems like a great thing to do!
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I would strongly recommend autumn!!
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Cologne is definitely on my list, as well as nearby Bonn. Beautiful pictures, the cathedral is stunning!
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And Cologne will not disappoint.
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I really like your piece. I’ve been to Cologne a few times and of course to the Cologne Carnival too!
I went with the German side of my family, and we all dressed up. It was insane with respectable people in their 50’s & 60’s dancing and singing in the street! You have to get your spot at about 08:00 so that you’re away from the really crazy parts, and so we had a blast, sang along with everyone else, and ended up with 4 hand-woven bags of chocolate and sweets! They lasted weeks!
Kölle Alaaf!
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I actually played that scene in my mind. 🙂 🙂 Such fun!
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I actually have a friend from Cologne and have been telling her for years that I’ll go and visit but have so far not got round to it. Looks like a fun place to spend a weekend, and that cathedral is super impressive!
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Time to take that trip!
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I’ve heard great things about Cologne, especially for carnival or the Christmas markets. I’ve been to Germany many times, but haven’t ventured to Cologne yet. Maybe this year because I need a good Christmas market fix again.
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I can imagine Christmas in Cologne with all that gingerbread! Wow!
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These quaint colorful houses are truly beautiful. As an admirer of Gothic architecture, I am in awe in front of Cologne’s Cathedral. It is such a masterpiece!
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The cathedral is a mecca for lovers of Gothic.
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Have not been to Cologne but you sure present a compelling case of the Cathedral, the river, the towns for a great experience in this more than 2000-year old town.
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Isn’t it lovely? Hope you go and discover its charms for yourself.
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Cologne is just the best. Have been there many times and never regret going back.
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I can see why you made so many trips to this lovely city.
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Rhine is the life line preserving and guarding history and heritage of Cologne. Good to know about Cologne which has 2000 years of rich history and survived WW2. Cathedral is really mammoth and super huge. Would love to explore this place some day and yes will certainly buy many bottles of 4711.
Shots are all great. Thanks for this detailed post.
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Couldn’t agree more with your first statement. I’m glad we went to Cologne.
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Oh my, the architecture in Cologne looks wonderful! I love the colours and pointed roofs. It almost looks like life-size dollhouse furniture. And the buildings on cliffs from the cruise are beautiful!
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The hours just slipped by, while on the cruise.
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That looks like one fun bachelor party! I wish I had the courage to wear those pants! The pictures are beautiful. The Cathedral is amazing, and its always awe-inspiring to be near such ancient artifacts. And there are cookies! Any city that boasts beautiful cathedrals and great cookies is going on the itinerary. Thanks for the heads up!
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Its interesting to slip into everyday scenes and become part of local life briefly, isn’t it?
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Ulaahh . . I was SO fascinated by all those little Romanesque churches spread all around the city of Köln that apart from the Cologne perfume house and of course the Cathedral, I missed all the rest! Great to learn about Jan and the maiden Grit or the city’s rulers through this post but probably I will need to put Köln again on my list . . .
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Cologne kept us on our feet all three days 🙂
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Cologne looks gorgeous and I would love to explore this cute city, especially the Cathedral it is stunning. I have sailed up the river Rhine on a cruise ship and it was a fantastic day seeing the countryside, colourful houses and waving at passers by.
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Though there’s nothing dramatic about this river cruise, we loved it because it was so pleasant and relaxing.
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Love the Cathedral , reminds me of La Sagrada Familia, don’t know if I can say the same about the clowns though, they scare me a bit.
Beautiful photography btw..love the autumn foliage.
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Autumn really brings out the best in Europe.
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This looks gorgeous – I only managed to see the Rhine river but never managed to explore the place. I now know what I have missed and so regret it. The Milan Duomo is stunning – with those high ceilings and gorgeous buildings. The cobbled streets look quite lively and I sure would love to walk those. Cheers
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Looks like you made up your mind to return to Cologne 🙂
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I so want to go here. It has all the things I like to experience when I travel. Stunning buildings!
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It has a small but lovely historic centre.
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Last year we met two Germans that were trying to convince us that Cologne is worth visiting. But I would say that you were definitely more convincing than they were 🙂 It really looks peaceful!
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Thanks a ton! That is so good to know 🙂
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Cologne looks enchanting. As you mentioned the cathedral’s twin towers loom enticingly attracting visitors to its fold. Would love to visit this amazing cathedral at leisure and marvel at the architectural and artistic finesse. One thing we would absolutely love to do is cruise on the river and enjoy the sights in a leisurely way.
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A great German town to add to one’s itinerary.
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I’ve so much more of Germany to visit and Cologne is definitely on my list. It looks beautiful! I’m in awe of the architecture of the churches.
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Germany is so vast, I will need at least 2 more visits there.
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We really enjoyed our time in Germany however brief it was. We haven’t made it to Koln yet but we have a cousin there now so that may prompt us to visit. I enjoyed this post more so because there was so much that I did not know. There are so many artifacts it sounds like in the cathedral. I hope we can get back to Germany soon because it is so beautiful.
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Time to connect with your Koln cousin 🙂
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You’ve definitely sold me on this place. It is absolutely stunning. The cathedral would be the first place for me to stop. Inside and out it’s a photographers dream. Thanks for sharing.
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The cathedral will have you spellbound!
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That cathedral is amazing; it looks very similar to the Familia Sagrada. And that quiet park would be a joy to explore. 🙂 Love the nice buildings as well.
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This city has a good balance of grandeur and laid-back charm.
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Looks like it’s time to take another Euro tour soon as have been hearing a lot about Germany especially Cologne lately. It looks gorgeous and I can only imagine the beauty provided there are so many gothic churches and roman towers to explore around the area.
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Cologne has its own brand of lovely. Great city.
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Wow, what a beautiful city! I’ve just had my eyes opened to another destination in Germany I didn’t really know much about! I should definitely consider a visit..
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It is less visited, but a delight nevertheless.
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I visited Cologne couple of years back when I had been to Bonn on work. It is a beautiful town with so much history and old world charm. The Cologne Cathedral is indeed a majestic structure! Lovely captures Punita!
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Thanks a million! Cologne is so charming, isn’t it!
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