The popular Museum Ludwig in Cologne was established following a contract signed by Mrs. And Mr. Ludwig on 5th February 1976 donating their art collection to the city of Cologne. Irene and Peter Ludwig, through this contract, agreed to hand over 350 modern artworks from their extensive collection. Located at the building on Bischofsgartenstrasse, Museum Ludwig features a range of contemporary art pieces that reflect the essence of twentieth century approach. Originally, Dr. Josef Haubrich, a lawyer in Cologne amassed the core collection of paintings on display at this museum. In 1946, after the World War II, he presented his Expressionism collection that includes works of popular artists such as Karl Schmidt-Rottluff, Erich Heckel, August Macke, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner and Otto Mueller. A selection of 100 paintings was displayed at the Old University of Cologne in October 1946. 21 year old student of art history, Peter Ludwig, was greatly impressed by this collection of art and decided to start collecting art and make it available to public. This is the story behind the first ever gift of artworks from the Ludwigs to the city of Cologne in 1976. This collection includes works of Russian avant-garde artists: Malevich, Popova, Exter, Larionov, Goncharova and Rodchenko, dated 1905 to 1935. If you love art, you must not miss a visit to the wonderful Museum Ludwig in Cologne.

Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom, officially Hohe Domkirche St. Peter und Maria) is a Roman Catholic church in Cologne, Germany. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Cologne, and is under the administration of the archdiocese of Cologne. It is renowned as a monument of Christianity, of German Catholicism in particular, of Gothic architecture and of the continuing faith and perseverance of the people of the city in which it stands. It is dedicated to Saint Peter and the Blessed Virgin Mary. The cathedral is a World Heritage Site, one of the best-known architectural monuments in Germany, and Cologne's most famous landmark. It is visited by 20 thousand people every day. Construction of Cologne Cathedral began in 1248 and took, with interruptions, until 1880 to complete. It is 144.5 metres long, 86.5 m wide and its towers are approximately 157 m tall. The cathedral is one of the world's largest churches and the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe.

Known as one of the architectural icons of the popular German architect Gottfried Bohm, the WDR Arcades represent a notable steel and glass work. The WDR Arcades are a part of the series of public buildings designed at the end of the 1980s in collaboration with Gottfried Bohm's wife, Elizabeth Bohm. The WDR Arcades are house to the WDR Library, the Historical Archives and the Press archives.

Peek and Cloppenburg is a spectacular building in Cologne constructed by master architect and builder Renzo Piano. A look at this wonderful building that is today one of the well known landmarks in this city, you will be struck by the creativity and style that flows through it.
There is nothing conventional in this building that stands out for its elegance and sophistication. Renzo Piano has certainly built this with a passion that exceeds what is technically possible. This building showcases a range of new sensations and perspectives.
Using stone, wood, glass and steel skillfully and in exquisite combinations, Renzo Piano has indeed created a masterpiece. Amidst Cologne’s concrete architecture, Peek and Cloppenburg building with its elegant, wide swinging glass body stands out, enriching the surroundings. This is a shopping hub that is frequented by locals and tourists.
This unique building was opened in the year 2005 and has since been a popular tourist destination. It has a total of five floors and the entire sales area measures 14,400 square meters. On your trip to Cologne, do not forget to visit the Peek and Cloppenburg building that stands as a testimony to the work of one of the greatest architects of our times.

St. Apostles Basilica is one of the 12 Romanesque churches in the Old Town of Cologne. The basilica is impressive by its "triconch choir" and three towers integrated into it. One of the towers is about 67 meters high, which makes it the third highest tower among the 12 Romanesque churches. The church also has a number of columns which form the larges arches and create a spectacular view when observing the nave.

You can enter the city of Cologne through 12 gates and the Hahnentorburg is the most popular among them. It was through this gate that the German Kings arrived in this city after their coronation in Aachen. They paid a visit to the Cologne Cathedral and prayed at the Three Magi shrine.
Construction of this gate spanned five years between 1235 and 1240. Land surrounding the gate was owned by a citizen Hageno and the gate was probably named after him. Over a period of time, people started referring to the gate as Hahnentorburg.
This gate features two towers that are crenellated and semi-circular in shape. Before you enter, look up above the entrance where you will find a beautiful depiction of Cologne’s coat of arms. It was in 1890 that the tower was first renovated. Renovation work was carried out by Josef Stubben, one of the famous architects in this city.
You can find a memorial plaque here that commemorates his construction outside the city walls. During World War II, the tower was again damaged and reconstructed later. Hahnentorburg has performed many functions through ages. It has been used as an exposition hall, museum and a prison. Today, this popular tourist spot is home to the carnival society, Ehrengarde der Stadt Köln 1902 e.V.

During the Roman times, it was in Cologne that many Jews settled down. This is the reason why the city has a rich Jewish history. There were a total of six synagogues built in Cologne. All of them were destroyed during World War II. In 1959, only the Roonstrasse Synagogue was reconstructed. Here you can find a lot of information related to the war.
Today, most of Cologne’s Jewish communities have settled down around this synagogue. Although the construction is relatively new, Roonstrasse Synagogue is striking in appearance with a stunningly decorative interior. The huge blue dome beckons visitors to enjoy the tastefully decorated beautiful and artistic ambience.
Behind the beauty and grandeur, you will be reminded of the terrible holocaust that destroyed the remaining five synagogues along with thousands of Jewish inhabitants. Tourists from around the world come to this synagogue on their visit to Cologne to view the exhibits that tell them a comprehensive history of the city’s Jewish community. Do not miss out the Torah which was saved by a Catholic priest from a synagogue set on fire.
Roonstrasse Synagogue is a perfect setting from where you can appreciate Cologne’s deep and rich history and learn about the rise, fall and survival of the Jewish community here.

Located in the very center of the Belgian Quarter in Cologne, St. Michael Church is the third largest church in Cologne after the Cologne Cathedral and St. Agnes Church. Built in a Neo-Romanesque style under the design of Eduard Endler, the church was consecrated in 1906. The church is not only famous for its size, but also for its impressive interior.

Colonius is the Fernmeldeturm or the telecommunications tower in Cologne which is a popular tourist attraction. This tower is 262 meters tall and was opened in 1981. Visitors from all over the world throng this tower to enjoy a stunning view from the 170 meter high viewing platform. Ascending through an elevator, you can soak in the amazing view of Rhine and the city of Cologne from the platform.
If the weather is good, you will be lucky enough to enjoy a view of Dusseldorf and Bonn as well. There is a restaurant at this level too. However, the viewing platform and the restaurant have been closed to the public since 2009 due to unavoidable reasons.
The radio tower at the top installed in the year 2004 broadcasts DVB-T or digital television to Bonn and Cologne areas. On your visit to Cologne, you will be busy enjoying a range of tourist attractions here including the bridges, churches, parks and towers. Among them Colonius, located to the north west of the city is well known and extremely popular.
Though the revolving restaurant and the viewing platform is yet to be opened after it was closed in 2004, this magnificent, grand tower by itself is a sight to behold.

At 148.5 meters tall, the Cologne Tower is the tallest office building in Cologne. Construction of the building lasted from June 1999 to November 2001. The reinforced concrete building was built in cooperation between the architectural firm Kohl & Kohl and the Parisian architect Jean Nouvel. It contains a suspended center core and the edge between floors to Pendelstützen. The floor plan of the tower is divided into three areas, with an 18 meter mast to the upper end. Overall, the tower has 43 floors, which can be reached by six elevators, each of which travels at a speed of 5 meters per second. The glass facade of the building was designed with reflected light in mind. Pictures of the Cologne Cathedral and the skyline of Cologne's Old Town were applied to the glass via screen-printing. Depending on light exposure, different combinations of these images appear on the building.