View of Old Town Cologne
(photo by Ronrad)

Although in the political shade of the neighbor Düsseldorf and Bonn, in which are the seats of respectively the local Land government and some institutions of the national federal government, Cologne stands like a real colossus of large and densely urbanized area of the Rhine-Ruhrgebiet conurbation. It is the fourth biggest city of Germany, after Berlin, Hamburg and Munich. The population of Cologne is more than 1 million people. The Gothic Dom (Cathedral) here is the most visited monument in the entire Germany. The city also boasts a rich collection of ancient Roman remains, impressive medieval architectural monuments and excellent museums even rivaling those in Berlin and Munich. Cologne is famous as one of the most popular beer centers in Europe and the world. It has more breweries per capita than any other city in the world. All of them brew the famous and distinctive local type of beer, known as Kölsch. The city is the place where in the early spring is held one of the most celebrated carnivals in Europe - the Karneval.

Roman Arch next to the
Dom (photo by LI Refugee)

Cologne was founded as a Roman settlement and military outpost in the province of Germania in 33 BC. Thanks to its strategic situation on the navigable River Rhine it quickly grew up and gained importance. Here was born the empress Julia Agrippa, wife of emperor Claudius, during the reign of whom, Cologne received the status of a city with the rank of Roman colony. This was the highest city rank, marking that its inhabitants have the full rights of Roman citizens. It is believed that the name "Cologne" comes exactly from this status of a "colony". After Christianity became the official religion in the Roman Empire, the city became a bishopric centre in 4th century AD. Several local people were martyred and over their graves were built churches, dedicated to every one of them. The most popular was the cult of St. Ursula. According to the legend she and her 11.000 virgin companions died here defending the Christian religion. It is more realistic the true figure to be 11. In the 12th century the free imperial city of Cologne took with force the relics the Three Magi from Milano in Italy. This increased its status to one of the biggest centre of pilgrimage in Europe.

Cologne Cathedral during Winter
(photo by Hornplayer)

The Medieval free city of Cologne was a prosperous commercial centre, known for its 150 churches. Being the largest city in Europe it also was a famous learning and art centre, having its own distinctive school of painters. The city lived a decline in the Renaissance but there was something like a come back to the previous “golden age” in the 18th century when it began to produce pure alcohol by distilling flower blossoms according to a recipe taken from Italy. It was originally thought for a strong aphrodisiac but later become popular throughout Europe as a toilet water. This water from Cologne or eau de Cologne was ordered even by the nobility in Paris.

The present-day city of Cologne has returned its role as an important business and commercial centre of Europe and has become the major radio and TV metropolis of Germany. Right opposite of the class-consciousness and the status-seeking of its neighboring cities, Cologne gives a warn welcome and openness to all of its visitors in a way similar to the city-lands of Hamburg and Bremen. You will find here a pleasant air of fun and irreverence that you hardly expect form Germany.