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Guide to Europe >> Germany >> Cologne
Cologne |
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One of the oldest and best-smelling cities in Germany, Cologne (Koln) was founded by the Romans in 50 AD and is home to Eau de Cologne, the famous scented water and perfume. The Cologne coat of arms illustrates three crowns, which represent the Three Kings (Magi), whose bones are contained in the Dom. The eleven tears of the coat of arms represent the patron of Cologne, St. Ursula, who was murdered by Attila the Hun along with her 11,000 virgin attendants.
Cologne was one of the hardest hit cities during World War II, with 262 air raides and 95% of its population gone by the end of the war. After the war, Cologne entered a period of reconstruction, and its economy grew in part from a growth in the number of media companies--mainly radio and television.
Today, Cologne attracts thousands of visitors to view its famous Dom and to enjoy the merging of Romanesque, post-war and modern architecture.
College Backpacking recommends staying two days in Cologne. Start at the most impressive and popular attraction: the Dom. After the Dom, head over to the Wallraf-Richartz Museum, just a short walk away. Be sure to head to the gondolas before closing at 6:00pm to catch a spectacular view of the river and city.
On the second day, indulge in the Chocolate Museum and take a long walk around the city to explore the various shops and restaurants. If it’s a hot summer day or if you feel like you need a refresher, stop by House #4711 for a little Water of Cologne.
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| Tourist Sites |
Dom
Hours: 6:00am- 7:30pm, no entrance during Mass.
Tower hours: 9:00am- 4:00pm ( closes at 5:00pm March, April, and Oct. and at 6:00pm May- Sept.)
Treasure chamber hours: 10:00am- 6:00pm
Tower tickets: €2, 50, €1 students
Treasure chamber tickets: €4, €2 students
The Cologne Cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Cologne and is one of the largest cathedrals in Europe. For a short time in the 1880s, it was the tallest structure in the world. The site of its construction is said to be where the very first Christians congregated in Cologne, and they built the first church in the 9th century. Construction the present day cathedral began in 1248, and the choir was consecrated in 1322; the church in its entirely took 632 years to complete. During World War II, the Dom endured 14 different air raid attacks, and survived them all, although some damage required reconstructive work. For a great view of the city, climb the 509 steps to the top of the tower. Behind the high alter houses one of the most precious treasures in the cathedral: the Shrine to the Three Kings, which is said to contain the bones of the Biblical Three Wisemen. |
Schokoladenmuseum
Address: Am Schokoladenmusem 1a
Hours: Tues.- Fri. 10:00am- 6:00pm; Sat. and Sun. 11:00am- 7:00pm; closed Mondays
Tickets: €6,50, €4,00 students
A sweet stop in the city of Cologne, the Chocolate Museum traces through the history of chocolate. Built by Hans Imhoff, a local Cologne resident, in 1993, the museum sits on the port of the Rhine River, made of glass and aluminum. Take the tour, viewing exhibitions on the history of chocolate, a chocolate fountain (where museum employees may dip a waffle for you), Tropics Hall, which holds cocoa trees, coffee plants, vanilla, and banana plants, and a view into the production of chocolate. |
Wallraf-Richartz Museum
Address: Obenmarspforten
Transportation: Subway Dom station
Hours: Tues. -Fri. 10:00am- 6:00pm, Sat- Sun. 11:00am- 6:00pm, closed Mondays
Tickets: €5,80, €3,30 students
This museum is split into three levels, each containing artwork from a different era. The first level features an extensive collection from the Middle Ages, including “Madonna in the Rose Bower”. The second level holds art of the Renaissance and Baroque periods, and the highest level contains 18th and 19th century art. Visitors can view some authentic work by Monet, but the painting “On the Banks of the Seine by Port Villez” was found to be a forgery early in 2008. |
House #4711
Address: Glockengass 4711
Hours: Mon.- Fri. 9:00am- 7:00pm, Sat. 9:00am- 6:00pm
Home of the fragrance Eau de Cologne, this house gets its name from the Napoleonic system of labeling houses by number. Inside, you get dip your hand into the flowing fragrant water, used to cool the face during the summer and once believed to heal illness if swallowed. |
Gondola Ride across the Rhine
Address: Riehler Strasse 180, entrance is close to the zoo
Hours: March 15- Nov. 2: 10:00am- 6:00pm
Tickets: €4 one way, €6 round trip; for groups of 4+, it’s €3,50/ €5
College Backpacking recommends the spectacular bird’s eye view of the Rhine River and the city of Cologne from the gondolas. |
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| Tours |
| Transportation |
Intercity
Flights: Köln-Bonn Flughafen (CGN) is Cologne’s main airport. Take S13, runs every 20-30 minutes, from the train station to get to the airport.
Trains: For backpackers looking to take the trains, Cologne’s trains depart for Berlin (4.5hr), Frankfurt (2hr), Munich (5hr), Amsterdam (3hr), Hamburg (4hr), Paris (4hr), and Dusseldorf (30min).
Ferries: Cologne also gives backpackers the option to travel on a ferry down the Rhine River to Bonn, Koblenz, or Mainz. These ferries accept the Eurail pass as well, so feel free to give them a try.
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Local
Public Transportation: Cologne’s public transportation network consists of U-bahn, S-bahn, buses, and streetcars. Single ride tickets vary in cost depending on how far you travel, but generally stay within the €2-8 range. |
| Night Life |
Das Kleine Stapelhauschen
Address: Fischmarkt 1-3, near the cathedral
Transportation: U- Heumarkt
Hour: 11:30am- 11:30pm
Located right by the fish market on the Rhine River, this tavern boasts a first-rate selection of wine and you can sip from the balcony tables. The cuisine is traditional German and Swiss and regional favorites that run at about €20. |
Underground Club
Address: Vogelsanger Str. 200
Hours: 5:00pm- 2:00am, open until 4:00am on the weekends
Popular among students in Cologne, the Underground Club features the music that its name implies. With both live shows and DJs, the club presents a range of rock, punk and alternative music. In the summer, students enjoy a beer garden and bar, and inside you can play foosball and cheer on local sports teams. |
Stadtgarten
Address: Venloer Str. 40 (northwest corner of downtown Cologne)
The Stadtgarten is the biggest jazz venue in Cologne, with performances from well-known musicians. The club also offers hip hop and other types of music, so check the website for the lineup. Located before the Stadtgarten, Studio 672 presents a more intimate space and has a small dance floor, but many come to just chill out at the cozy tables. The music varies-- but it’s mostly electronic, with occasional jazz.
Website: http://www.stadtgarten.de |
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