The founders of Cologne consider the Romans. In 38 B.C. e. Roman commander Marc Vispanius Agrippa founded a military camp with his soldiers on the banks of the Rhine. Thanks to the descendant of the military commander (she is the spouse of the emperor Claudius) Agrippine, the military camp became a settlement and was called the Colony of Claudius and the altar of the Agrippins, then reduced to Colony (Cologne).
In the year 85 e. Cologne is proclaimed the capital of Lower Germany. Narrow streets turned into pavements, there were baths, places for cultural recreation. A century later, 15,000 inhabitants lived in Cologne. At the beginning of the IV century, the first bridge over the Rhine was built.
In 454, the Franks seized power, placing King of Clovis on the throne. After about 100 years, the city reaches its peak of development. In 1388, the first university in Germany was opened in Cologne.
The French Revolution in 1794 led to the occupation and surrender of the Rhine to the French, who, after a couple of decades, lost the conquered territory to the Prussian troops. After 1900, the population exceeded 600,000.
Modern Cologne is divided into 9 districts: 4 - these are old quarters (the left bank of the Rhine), 5 others arose after the Second World War.
The city of Cologne in Germany, the sights of which arose in the course of a long history, owns a large number of architectural monuments. Unfortunately, the majority are reconstructed buildings that were destroyed during the bombing.
Cologne Cathedral (from German Kölner Dom)
The first phase of the construction of the Catholic Cathedral in the Gothic style began in 1248 and lasted for two centuries. The end of the large-scale construction took place in 1880. Now the cathedral takes third place among the highest (157 m) temples in the world and is the main attraction of Cologne, is included in the UNESCO list.
The construction of the towers took place according to the first drawings made in 1300. Cross structures, facade decoration was designed in the XIX century by E. F. Zwiner, preserving the original style of the cathedral.
The cathedral is decorated with hundreds of sculptures, stained glass windows, murals and mosaics, the gates were cast by bronze craftsmen.
The temple has been protecting its treasures since the 13th century. The most valuable exhibits: st. Engelbert with the relics of the archbishop, st. Peter of the IV century, the informer of St. Peter, a chest with the stored relics of the three wise men, a two-meter crucifix of Hero, a library of valuable manuscripts.
Of course, the construction in Cologne of sights of this magnitude could not do without mysterious stories and legends. Gerhard von Riehl, the first architect, could not get the blueprints for the temple, and he turned to the devil for help. He immediately appeared and offered a standard exchange: drawings in return for the soul, which must be given immediately after the cries of the roosters. The architect agreed, but his wife became a witness to the deal, who at the dawn imitated a cock cry. As a result, the blueprints were obtained by fraud, and an angry devil predicted the end of the world with the completion of the cathedral.
Wallraf-Richartz Museum (from German Wallraf-Richartz-Museum)
One of the most outstanding museums in the country. Inside there is a gallery representing the largest exhibition of paintings from the Middle Ages to the first half of the 20th century, graphics in a variety of techniques (more than 70,000 works, including miniatures, sketch albums and printed graphics). The creations of Cologne masters Stefan Lochner, Masters of St. Veronica, Masters of the legend of Ursula and others are stored here. Baroque style is represented by paintings by Rembrandt, Boucher, Rubens, Van Dyck. Sculptures of Renoir, Rodin, Hudon supplement the exposition. And this is a small part of the names of great creators exhibited in the museum.
Ludwig Museum (from German Museum Ludwig)
For contemporary art - to the Ludwig Museum, located near the Cologne Cathedral. In the museum’s collection you can see the works of expressionists, surrealists, avant-garde artists, including Kandinsky, Malevich, Picasso.
Roman German Museum
Interested fans of the Roman Empire. The period proposed for study in the museum is from the Paleolithic to the beginning of the Middle Ages. Created in 1946. Here are household items of the Roman colony of the first - fourth centuries BC. e., antique mosaic, jewelry, objects from stained glass.
Cologne Philharmonic
In the immediate vicinity of the Ludwig and Walfraf-Richartz museums is the Philharmonic Hall, built in 1986 in the form of an amphitheater. The Philharmonic attracts connoisseurs of classical, jazz, folk music with excellent acoustics, design and world-class performers.
Monument to King Frederick William III
Equestrian statue of King Prussia Frederick III is installed on Heumarkt Square. This monarch played a role in the victory over Napoleon's army. Nowadays, this landmark of Cologne is often used as a convenient landmark for a meeting.
Hohenzoller Railway Bridge (from German Hohenzollernbrücke)
Total length 409 m. Opened in 1911 instead of the Cathedral Bridge. In 1945, the bridge was blown up by the US military, the initial restoration of the functionality lasted three years, and the reconstruction was completed in 1959. Later, in 1989, two more tracks and paths for cyclists and pedestrians were added to the four available.
Nowadays, the bridge attracts thousands of lovers who, according to the omen, hang and lock their locks as a symbol of love.
Cableway
The city cable car across the Rhine was opened in 1957. It passes through the Rheinpark thermal baths. Recognized as the safest means of transportation in the city.
Botanical Garden Flora
The park was founded in the mid-19th century by the architect Peter Lenne. Landscaping is based on a mixture of styles: these are English classics, and ponds, rocks with waterfalls, paths among centuries-old trees. Florists will be surprised by the variety of flowers: camellias, heather are adjacent to tropical, exotic plants.
Cologne Zoo
This is 20,000 square meters of area, on which more than 800 species of animals live comfortably. It has been operating since 1860 and receives almost 2,000,000 guests annually. Visitors are delighted with the kingdom of animals and birds, where you can get acquainted with tigers and giraffes, elephants, rhinos and hippos, seals and penguins.
Chocolate Museum
It was opened in 1993 by the Imhoff-Stollwerk confectionery company, whose products have been known since 1839. In 2006, Lindt & Sprungli became their partner. This is one of the most visited museums in Germany, with over 600,000 visitors annually. An interesting form of the building, made in the form of a ship. The museum will tell about the history of chocolate, manufacturing technology from Maya and Aztecs to our time. The exhibition presents many types of chocolate, and even a three-meter chocolate fountain.
Beer museum
Rather, it is an exhibition hall opened in 1982, where more than 1000 types of beer and its attributes are represented. The museum has the opportunity to taste a beer from anywhere in the world.
Köln Triangle Lookout
Located on the right bank of the Rhine, on the 28th floor of the Orange business center. This observation deck, towering at a hundred-meter height, offers magnificent panoramic views of the sights of Cologne. Photos and descriptions will not convey all the emotions received during the contemplation of Cologne Cathedral at sunset.
Museum of Spirits
The Museum of the Spirits (Farin's House) is located opposite the city hall. Since 1709, a perfume factory, recognized as the oldest in the world, has been located here. Now in the museum you can see ways of producing the famous Cologne water - cologne, distillation apparatus, bottles of different eras, paintings and photographs.
A description of the sights of Cologne would be incomplete without mentioning the Cologne Carnival. This tradition developed already in the XI century and personified the farewell of winter. The carnival is held at the end of February and lasts for a week, between Holy Thursday and Ash Wednesday.
This is not a complete list of reasons to visit Cologne, whose photos of attractions attract millions of tourists annually.
Cologne City Hall, St. Martin's Church, Church of the Holy Apostles, Aigelstein Gate, Zatszvay Castle will also welcome guests and share a rich history.