COLOGNE  (Köln)
General Information

Cathedral (Dom)  I  Sightseeing   I  Museums  I   Practical   I  Hotels in Cologne

Köln (Cologne) ancient daughter of the Rhine. Founded by the Romans, Cologne is now a metropolis (1.4 million inhabitants) known especially as a trade fair centre. Moreover, Köln is an important centre of art and culture. This reputation hinges on its excellent museums, numerous historic buildings and superb art galleries. Founded by the Romans and largely destroyed in the Second World War, Cologne offers a seducing mix of old, rebuilt and new architecture. The impressive cathedral is one of the archetypal monuments of Germany. Book and newspaper publishers have their head offices here, as do radio and television stations. The highest number of visitors, however, come to Köln for the five days preceding Ash Wednesday, to join in the fun and watch the grand carnival processions.

Despite its metropolitan atmosphere, visitors to Cologne will also find romantic corners with taverns, pubs and inns, in which they can enjoy the famous "Kölsch" beer. daughter of the Rhine. Founded by the Romans, Cologne is now a metropolis (1.4 million inhabitants) known especially as a trade fair centre. Moreover, Köln is an important centre of art and culture. This reputation hinges on its excellent museums, numerous historic buildings and superb art galleries. Founded by the Romans and largely destroyed in the Second World War, Cologne offers a seducing mix of old, rebuilt and new architecture. The impressive cathedral is one of the archetypal monuments of Germany. Book and newspaper publishers have their head offices here, as do radio and television stations. The highest number of visitors, however, come to Köln for the five days preceding Ash Wednesday, to join in the fun and watch the grand carnival processions.

Despite its metropolitan atmosphere, visitors to Cologne will also find romantic corners with taverns, pubs and inns, in which they can enjoy the famous "Kölsch" beer.

Only since 1888 has the Rhine actually flowed directly through Cologne. Until that date it flowed past the city. Cologne lay on the left bank: across the river was - even in Roman times - the "Land of the Barbarians"  After World War II the old bridges were also rebuilt, and new ones were added; the Rodenkirchen motorway bridge, the South bridge, the Severin bridge and the Deutz bridge, the Hohenzollern bridge, the Zoo bridge, the Mühlheim bridge and the northern motorway bridge. since 1888 has the Rhine actually flowed directly through Cologne. Until that date it flowed past the city. Cologne lay on the left bank: across the river was - even in Roman times - the "Land of the Barbarians"  After World War II the old bridges were also rebuilt, and new ones were added; the Rodenkirchen motorway bridge, the South bridge, the Severin bridge and the Deutz bridge, the Hohenzollern bridge, the Zoo bridge, the Mühlheim bridge and the northern motorway bridge.

In 1888 Cologne's boundaries were redrawn to include "Deutz", since time immemorial "the town opposite Cologne". Cologne could now expand on both the right and the left banks of the Rhine. The inner city, if measured according to its medieval boundaries, today occupies just one percent of the total area of the city. It is the part which visitors will want to see as it contains most of the historical sights: here are the city's meeting places and attractions are all crowded together.Deutz", since time immemorial "the town opposite Cologne". Cologne could now expand on both the right and the left banks of the Rhine. The inner city, if measured according to its medieval boundaries, today occupies just one percent of the total area of the city. It is the part which visitors will want to see as it contains most of the historical sights: here are the city's meeting places and attractions are all crowded together.