It is likely that when you think about what to see in Cologne, the first thing that comes to mind is a Cathedral. One of the highest in the world and without a doubt one of the most imposing in Europe. But there are not just places worth visiting in this German city. Keep reading the post, and you will indeed discover things that will surprise you. Cologne also hosts an important Escort Agency, Dusseldorf Girls.
The history of Cologne
We can see today in Cologne is the result of centuries of history, of the passage through this city of the Romans or the Franks. It was the largest city in Germany in the Middle Ages and a pilgrimage destination second only to Rome and Santiago de Compostela. In the 18th century, it became the capital of perfume after the creation of Eau de Cologne by the Italian Farina. At the end of the same century, Napoleon’s French troops took Cologne. With them came secularization, and the church lost its power. In 1815, Prussia annexed the Rhineland, a state to which Cologne belonged.
With industrialization, Cologne grew until its population multiplied by four. After the First World War, this German city continued its growth, and a large soccer field was built on it, a fairground was created, and its university was reopened. The Second World War marked a before and after for this city. It suffered air attacks since 1940, and in March 1945, almost 95% of the center of Cologne was destroyed by Allied bombing. Only some of the most iconic buildings in the city were rebuilt, the rest were built new, and the town became one of the great German cities.
What to see in Cologne
The past of Cologne is present in its streets and to walk through them is to get closer to the history of a city, a record that is not always friendly, but that has made it what it is today: a great city, lively and with much to see and do. As you tour this city, remember to look at the ground now and then. All over the city, on the sidewalks, there are small metal plates with names and dates engraved on them between the stone cobblestones. They are a memory of the Jews of Cologne who were deported to the concentration camps during the Nazi era. During our weekend in Cologne, we have seen a lot of places that have brought us closer to the past of the city. But unfortunately, some of the most emblematic places to visit in Cologne were under restoration. This is the case with some of the fountains or the Rathausplatz. They are also restoring parts of the Cologne Cathedral. Touring this German city reminded me that many of the places to visit in Frankfurt were also under construction when I saw the city a couple of years ago.
Cathedral of Saint Peter and Mary
The Cologne Cathedral is undoubtedly the star of this city. Not surprisingly, it is the most visited monument in Germany. It was the tallest building for four years since its construction was completed in 1880 until the Washington Monument was erected in 1884. Its Gothic towers are among the most elevated, and inside, it houses the most significant shrine in the world, the one in which are the remains of the three Magi. Its dark exterior full of gargoyles, pinnacles, and flying buttresses can appear heavy. But it is enough to enter the church to feel that those tall ships want to touch the sky. Entrance to the Cathedral is free, so there is no excuse not to visit the bright interior where the stained glass windows fill the naves with color and make the columns warm.
Hohenzollern Bridge
This steel and concrete bridge that crosses the Rhine is undoubtedly one of the places to see in Cologne. Inaugurated in 1911, its 400 meters were used to cross the river by train or by road. It was destroyed in the bombings of the Second World War, and after its reconstruction, it became a crossing for trains and pedestrians. Today it is the bridge in Germany with the highest rail traffic.
There is no doubt that this bridge gives those who cross its beautiful views of the city with or without them. And it is probably one of the bridges in the world with the most locks hanging from its fences. One of its sides is wholly covered with those promises of eternal love, and on the other, they are also beginning to turn locks. You can put a lock here with an escort girl!
Do not forget to stop by the equestrian statue of Kaiser Wilhelm II before entering the bridge. You have to turn around to have one of the most beautiful views of the Cathedral. Once on the other bank of the Rhine, you have to enjoy the view of the bridge with the Cathedral in the background, undoubtedly one of the best-known images of Cologne.
Cologne triangle
It is worth crossing the Hohenzollernbrücke to enjoy the views of the river and the city. Once on the other side, another thing worth doing in Cologne is going up to the KölnTriangle viewpoint. It is a 103-meter glass-covered building that is currently the headquarters of the European Aviation Safety Agency. The building opens the viewpoint on the top floor to visitors and with it the opportunity to see a 360º panoramic view of Cologne. The gazebo is not covered and its walls are made of glass. The most significant buildings that can be seen in each direction are drawn on them.
Deutzer Bridge, another bridge to see in Cologne
Indeed, the Cologne bridge that becomes the object of all eyes and the focus of the photos is the Hohenzollernbrücke. But he’s not the only one. If you cross the river, I recommend that you do it by that bridge but that you return to the Altstadt of Cologne by the Deutzer Brücke. By doing so, you will have another perspective of Cologne with the Cathedral, the Hohenzollernbrücke, and the tower of the Church of San Martín. To go from one bridge to another, you can do it by Rheinboulevard. A pedestrian walkway allows you to enjoy the river and the views of the city from its shore. It is a pleasant walk, and if the day is good, you will indeed find families or groups of friends in the stands next to the Rhine. Without a doubt, a perfect place to relax in the sun, watching the silhouette of the most emblematic towers of Cologne in the background. Book an escort girl and go for a walk with her!
Fish Market
After this walk, we return to the old town to get to know the city. Just stroll through the Rhine Garden, an area designed for pedestrians and bicycles, to see some of the most picturesque buildings in the town. Everything is in reconstruction since the city was devastated by the allied bombings. You have to walk a few meters to reach a small square known as Fish Market. The town’s fish market took place near the river. Today, it is one of the most picturesque corners to see in Cologne and one of the few where we can get an idea of what this German city was like before the war.
Great St. Martin
The tower of this church is another of the icons of Cologne. It is an easily recognizable tower for its imposing size and small turrets that decorate each of its corners. It stands out among the old town’s buildings and is undoubtedly one of the twelve Romanesque churches to see in Cologne (I’ll tell you more about those churches later). Groß St. Martin has a long history hidden behind its walls. You can go down to its crypt (paid entrance) and see the rest of a Roman arena and a warehouse also built by the Romans. Everything else seen today is a reconstruction, as the church was also seriously damaged by the bombings. It was thought to be left in ruins as a reminder of the horror of the war, but it was finally rebuilt, and in 1985 it was once again a Catholic place of worship. The best view of the church is from An Groß St. Martin, and to visit its interior, you have to look for the entrance to the right of the facade. This is an interesting place that you can visit with an escort girl.
Altstadt (Old Town)
What was the historic center of this city today is a tourist neighborhood where most of the places of interest in Cologne are found. A handful of streets between the Rhine and the market squares (Alter Markt and Heumarkt) are reminiscent of what this city must have been like just a few decades ago, before World War II.
A handful of alleys that overlook some restored houses give us an idea of that city that disappeared under the bombs. You can wander from one square to another, looking for the Town Hall, the river, or Groß St. Martin. They are places that have no loss. But if you want to see a lesser-known corner, I recommend you look for Tünnes and Schäl, two fictional characters that represent a bit the character of the people of Cologne. Tünnes, the chubby, is friendly and good-natured, while Schäl, the tallest and thinnest, is a gentleman and the typical city man. Take a picture with theese statues, alongside an escort girl.
Also, look for Ostermannplatz, a pedestrian square that can be accessed by some alleys that lead off other streets in Cologne’s old town. In this square, there are several restaurants, some with tables outside. But the highlight is the Carnival Monument. It is a triangular fountain decorated with different Carnival characters. The square and the sculpture pay homage to the composer and singer Willi Ostermann.
Romanesque churches, a must see in Cologne
Before I told you that Groß St. Martin is one of the twelve Romanesque churches that can be seen in Cologne, there were 200 churches and chapels in this city (some say that there were 365 churches). Many of them kept relics inside. This, together with the presence of the remains of the Magi in the Cathedral, made Cologne one of the most important pilgrimage cities in Europe, along with Rome and Santiago.
In the 19th century, 150 of these churches were destroyed during secularization under Napoleon. A century later, the bombings of the Second World War destroyed the city and, with it, the churches that still stood. Twelve of those Romanesque churches in Cologne were rebuilt, and today at least some are worth visiting. Wanting to visit them all in one weekend when there is also so much to see in Cologne is impossible. We were able to visit only a handful of them, the ones closest to the city center. Some of them were closed due to the Carnival celebration as chance would have it. We could enter inside, but a gate did not allow access to the ships.
Basilica of Santa Maria del Capitolio
Near the Altstadt of Cologne, this church is one of the most beautiful and impressive in the city. Not in vain for a long time. It was the second church in Cologne after the Cathedral. Its name comes from its location, since the first church, built in the 7th century, was located on the Temple of the Capitoline Triad. The church was restored, recovering its aspect in the eleventh century. Access is through a small landscaped cloister. A staircase leads up to the entrance that leads to the wide aisles of the temple. Inside there are works of art and tombs, but its sober and elegant architecture undoubtedly makes it unique. The ambulatory with its beautiful arches and the jubé on which the choir stands alone justify a visit to St. Maria im Kapitol. We hope that this aticle will help you if you wanna visit Cologne, alongside a beautiful escort girl.