Cologne's Historical Churches Walking Tour (Self Guided), Cologne

The beautiful and historically rich city of Cologne has been around for over 2,000 years. For centuries, it has been regarded as a very important religious center.

The Kölner Dom (Cologne Cathedral), one of its biggest attractions, is renowned as a symbol of Christianity and “a masterpiece of exceptional intrinsic value” (UNESCO World Heritage Site). The twelve Romanesque churches of Cologne are twelve distinguished landmarks set in a semi-circle around the Old Town (Altstadt) – without parallel anywhere else in the world. Among the top examples of these cultural monuments is Groß St. Martin (Great St. Martin's Church) whose distinctive crossing tower has shaped the skyline of the Old Town since the Middle Ages.

Other prominent historical churches include:

Basilika St. Aposteln (Basilica of the Holy Apostles) – built into the core of the city circa 1000 AD;

St. Cäcilien (St. Cecilia's Church) – one of the oldest churches in Cologne, now home to the Schnütgen Museum of Medieval Art, filled with exclusive textiles and enticing stained-glass windows dating back several centuries;

Basilica Church of St. Ursula – named after the legendary Princess Ursula who was martyred along with 11,000 other virgins; built upon their grave, this church containing relics of the virgins in a special section called the ‘Golden Chamber’.

For a closer look at these and other remarkable churches in the Catholic stronghold of Cologne, take this self-guided walking tour.