The Finials of Cologne Cathedral are an impressive architectural feature that form the tops of the north and south towers at a height of 149 to 157 meters. They consist of a central stem entwined with two differently sized leaf wreaths and date back to the last construction phase of the cathedral in 1880. The plans for the finials were based on the original medieval facade plan F by master builder Ernst Friedrich Zwirner. The finials were originally designed to have a diameter of 5.20 meters, but due to natural limitations of the material to be mined, the final diameter of the lower blade ring is 4.58 meters and the height around eight meters.

A copy of these finials, executed in concrete, has been standing below the steps in front of the west facade of the cathedral since 1991. Despite being a replica, the concrete finials give visitors a glimpse into the impressive engineering and architectural feats that went into building the original Finials of Cologne Cathedral over a century ago.

On the side of Domplatz [Cathedral Square] there is an ancient structure vaguely reminiscent of what was once a Roman wall. Built in the days of the Roman Empire, a symbolic gate now stands in its place.

The Cologne Cathedral - a place where Gothic ambition met a 600-year-long construction delay and still came out looking fabulous... Indeed, the magnitude of this building dwarfs your expectations and your camera’s field of view.

This towering masterpiece is Germany’s most visited landmark, with 20,000 people dropping by daily - not bad for a church that took over six centuries to finish. At 157 meters (that’s 515 feet for those who still think in feet), it’s the tallest twin-spired church on Earth, the second-tallest church in Europe, and the third tallest in the world. Clearly, Cologne doesn’t do things halfway...

Construction began in 1248, then took a casual break around 1560. The west tower wasn't completed until 1880, when 19th-century officials unearthed the original blueprints and reasoned, “Why not finish it?”

But the site’s sacred history runs much deeper than that. Since the 4th century, Christians have been building here. The "Old Cathedral" stood from 818 to 1248, and even earlier, a baptistery once graced the eastern end.

So, what kicked off this giant Gothic project? A golden box. Specifically, the Shrine of the Three Kings, believed to hold relics of the Three Wise Men (also known as the Magi - the ones who visited baby Jesus and offered him gifts). Its construction started at the eastern arm to house the shrine, then the west front followed - until everything just kind of stopped in 1473. The work-in-progress look lasted for centuries, complete with a giant crane stuck on top for 400 years. Talk about an eternal fixer-upper...

The cathedral's highlights include the 1322 black marble High Altar and that aforementioned blingy shrine, which began in 1190 and shines brighter than a royal wedding. There's also the 10th-century Gero Crucifix, the 1290 Milan Madonna, and a legal twist - a 13th-century stone tablet that once granted rights to Cologne’s Jewish residents.

And, of course, there are bells - eleven in total. The Saint Peter Bell, cast in 1922, was once the biggest free-swinging bell in the world. You’ll feel it before you hear it...

Insider Tip:
Don’t skip the rear mosaics - they're stunning. Brave the climb for sky-high views, or sneak into the underground parking to see the cathedral’s ancient roots... literally.

Cologne’s Historic Town Hall - where ancient Rome meets medieval ambition and Renaissance flair, all crammed into one delightfully stubborn complex. This city hall is the oldest in Germany, proudly perched atop the ruins of the Roman Praetorium, once the power seat of the Roman governor of the Lower Germania province. That is, until an 8th-century earthquake gave it a rather abrupt renovation.

A few centuries later, precisely in the 11th, Cologne’s citizens got organized and formed a commune. By 1114, the city's coat of arms had already made its debut-because every self-respecting city needs a good logo... The oldest part of the complex is a roofed hall from 1330, decorated with stone figures who represent the Emperor, Privileges, and the Nine Worthies - think of them as the medieval version of a motivational poster.

Then came the Gothic tower: built between 1407 and 1414, it was Cologne’s first secular skyscraper (five whole stories tall!), reaching an impressive 61 meters. It’s adorned with 130 stone statues, some of which appear to be judging you. Bombed in WWII but restored since, the tower also plays a carillon tune four times a day - because even stone buildings like to show off a little...

Swing around to the Renaissance-style loggia - the Town Hall Arbor - completed in 1573. This two-story arcade served both as an elegant entryway and a stage for balcony speeches. Look up and you’ll find a sculpted lion doing battle with Mayor Gryn. Who won? Depends on who’s telling the story.

And let’s not forget the so-called Spanish Structure, finished in 1615, featuring Dutch Renaissance architecture with a Spanish twist, thanks to some rather well-travelled delegates from the Thirty Years’ War. The Piazzetta (or “Little Square”), a post-WWII addition, ties it all together.

Tip:
Catch a postcard-perfect view from across the Rhine. Bonus points if you frame it with the Hohenzollern Bridge and Cologne Cathedral in the background. Now that’s a skyline...

In the Old Market Square of Cologne, cobblestones carry gossip older than most European countries.

Once connected to the Hay Market, this lively square has seen everything from Renaissance flair to full-blown weaver revolts. Today, it's home to beautiful façades, a dramatic fountain, and, come winter, one of Cologne’s coziest Christmas Markets. But don’t let the mulled wine distract you from the centuries of drama baked into these stones.

Markets and homes have stood here since at least the year 922-that’s not a typo... The oldest surviving building dates back to 1580, though many historic structures were wiped out during WWII bombings. Still, Cologne rebuilt with style, as it always does.

One particularly spicy chapter unfolded here in 1371: the Cologne Weaver Uprising. Picture disgruntled guild members facing off with the city council. The weavers lost-badly-and were either arrested or politely escorted out of town with pitchforks (not the musical kind).

At the heart of the square stands the Jan von Werth fountain, completed in 1884. The story it tells is pure soap opera. Young Jan, a lowly farm boy, fell for Griet. But Griet wanted someone with a bit more... coin. Heartbroken, Jan headed off to the Thirty Years’ War, leveled up to war hero status, and returned to find Griet peddling fruit in the square. She gasped, “Jan, who would’ve thought it?” To this, he shrugged and delivered the ultimate verbal mic drop: “Griet, the one who should have” (and with these words, he turned away).

Around the square, you’ll find old-school German architecture, statues of the city’s founders, and-up near house No. 24-a cheeky little sculpture called Kallendresser. It shows a man relieving himself into a gutter. Tasteful? Not exactly. But pointed absolutely-it’s likely a rebellious jab at the city hall conveniently located on the square’s west side.

Today, the Old Market is car-free and people-full. With its bars, restaurants, and ice cream shops, it buzzes well into the night. So, come here for the history, stay for the beer-and maybe watch out for flying weaver spindles...

Ah, the Great Saint Martin Church-this seriously good-looking temple with a riverside address and medieval drama to spare is proof that if a building can survive fire, war, and questionable Baroque interior design choices, it deserves your full attention.

This Romanesque heavyweight was built between 1150 and 1250, and its iconic tower has been photobombing Old Town’s skyline ever since. But the site’s résumé goes way back. In Roman times, this spot was actually an island in the Rhine, where they built a humble chapel-probably to appease both the gods and the weather.

In the 10th century, a new church was built. In 1150: Boom. Fire. Ashes. Time to build again! By 1172, they’d got a fancy tri-apsidal structure. It survived another fire in 1185. But in 1378, the towers' roofs caught fire again, and by 1434, a storm decided to finish the job and blew them clean off. Truly, the medieval weather had no chill...

In the 1700s, someone got ambitious with the interior, adding Baroque decorations. Not everyone was thrilled. Some clergy officials thought it looked more Versailles than virtue, and out came the paintbrushes.

Then came the French in 1794. They stuck around for 20 years, turned the abbey into barracks, and eventually pulled the plug on the monastery altogether. Monks out, soldiers in. Not exactly a spiritual upgrade...

By 1847, restoration kicked off, and not a moment too soon. Because in World War II, the church took a beating-fires again, naturally-but was lovingly rebuilt between 1948 and 1985. Now, that’s what we call long-term commitment...

Pro tip:
The entrance plays hard to get-it’s tucked away at the back. And if you fancy ancient basements, head downstairs to see the Roman foundations. Because nothing says timeless like a church that’s literally built on history.

Welcome to Cologne’s Hay Market-where the past smells faintly of hay, spice, and maybe a little too much fish.

Dating all the way back to Roman times, this square is one of Central Europe’s oldest markets. In the Middle Ages, it bloomed into a buzzing trade hub. Originally, Hay Market and Old Market were one big commercial jumble simply called the Old Market. But as the centuries marched on and city life got more complex, the two parted ways-amicably, we assume...

By the 13th century, Cologne was booming, with a population of over 40,000-massive by medieval standards. Hay Market, thanks to its prime location, became the go-to spot for everything from cheese to chickpeas. Traders hawked vegetables, fish, grain, spices, and yes, actual hay. In 1492, while Columbus was off looking for India, a grain scale was added here to keep the deals honest.

But this wasn’t just your average muddy medieval market. During the Renaissance, Hay Market leveled up in beauty, drawing comparisons to Venice’s St. Mark’s Square. Today, it’s still charming, paved in brick, framed by neatly trimmed trees, and peppered with restaurants that definitely know how to plate a schnitzel.

In 1580, the Cologne stock exchange took root here, too-proof that not just onions were traded. Closer to our days, in 1878, the square got a serious upgrade in the form of a dramatic equestrian statue of Prussia’s King Friedrich Wilhelm III. The Market Hall was added in 1904, and historic flair has been going strong here ever since.

Though nobody comes here for hay anymore, Hay Market is far from quiet. These days, it’s one of the city’s liveliest squares-packed with pubs, breweries, and cafés perfect for watching the world go by. And in winter, it transforms into a holiday wonderland with a cheerful Christmas market and a festive ice-skating rink.

Hay Market may have traded its wagons and wheat for lattes and selfies-but its spirit is very much alive and thriving.

Schildergasse is Cologne’s answer to the question: “Where did all these people come from?” Indeed, this is one of Europe’s busiest shopping streets-according to the recent headcount (yes, someone actually counted), nearly 15,000 people stroll down this pedestrian paradise every single hour. That's more foot traffic than a dance floor during Oktoberfest.

Schildergasse isn’t just a modern-day shopping stampede. It’s got Roman bones-literally. Back in the day, this was the Decumanus Maximus, the grand east-to-west road of the Roman city. In the Middle Ages, the street became a hotspot for artists painting noble family crests. That’s where the street got its name, actually, for Schilder means “signs” or “shields” in German. Think of it as medieval graphic design, but with more chainmail...

At its center swims the architectural oddity known as the Cosmopolitan House. This glass-and-steel leviathan looks like a whale decided to beach itself in the middle of Cologne. It’s home to the fashion company Peek & Cloppenburg-so yes, inside the whale, there's fashion to be found. With a facade made of 6,800 individual glass panes, it’s basically a giant mirrored tribute to retail therapy.

Schildergasse is also retail overload in the best way possible. You’ve got H&M, Zara, Galeria Kaufhof, plus a smorgasbord of shoe stores, sports shops, phone shops, perfume boutiques, and more clothes than a season finale of “Project Runway.”

And when your wallet needs a breather, don’t miss St. Anthony's Church, Cologne’s oldest Protestant temple, quietly holding its ground among all the fashion frenzy.

So, do come here: because where else can you grab a bratwurst, buy a new pair of sneakers, snap a selfie with a glass whale, and accidentally walk 10,000 steps before lunch? Schildergasse: it’s not just a street-it’s a cardio-intensive shopping experience with historic flair!

Neumarkt is the largest square in Cologne and is rich in history and cultural significance. It was originally set in a document by Archbishop Hildolf in 1076 as a place "in novo mercato" and served as a new market center to relieve the old market. The area was initially unpopulated and located directly on the western city wall, marking a reorientation of the city.

The first building to be constructed in the area was the predecessor of today's St. Aposteln Church, which was built around 965 on the west side of Neumarkt, which was not yet designated as a square. Other notable buildings that have stood in the area include "Haus Scharfenstein" and the "Schwerthof," an armory for aristocrats.

Neumarkt has also been the site of significant historical events. During the French occupation of Cologne in 1794, the square was renamed the Place de la République, and a freedom tree was planted on it. Napoleon also stayed at the Blankenheimer Hof at Neumarkt 4 before his coronation as emperor in 1804.

Today, Neumarkt is home to several museums, galleries, cultural institutes, and educational institutions such as the Amerikahaus, the Cologne Art Association, the Belgian House, the adult education center, the central library, the art gallery, and the Lempertz art and auction house. It is also characterized by two shopping malls, namely the Neumarkt-Galerie and the Neumarkt-Passage, and hosts events such as circus performances, carnival sessions, and Christmas markets.

If you’ve ever wondered where the phrase “Eau de Cologne” got its start, follow your nose to the 4711 House of Fragrances-part museum, part perfume playground, and all-around aromatic adventure.

Back in the early 1700s, an Italian-born perfumer named Johann Maria Farina set up a shop in the city. He created a light, citrusy fragrance that reminded him of “an Italian spring morning”-a stark contrast to the heavy, musky scents popular at the time. This he poetically dubbed “Eau de Cologne” (or “Water from Cologne”) in honor of his new hometown.

Farina’s creation became wildly popular across European courts as the must-have splash for royals and nobles who probably appreciated smelling like lemon zest instead of battlefield sweat. The fragrance was so successful that “Eau de Cologne” became a generic term for light, fresh scents.

But the story didn't stop there. Later in the century, another Cologne-based entrepreneurial wild card, Wilhelm Mülhens, brewed up his own “miracle water,” marketing it as medicine. During the French occupation, a soldier doing a building census randomly numbered Mülhens’ workshop as “4711.” And voilà-the most famous house number in fragrance history was born.

In 1810, Napoleon demanded that all medicinal products reveal their ingredients. Rather than spill the secret sauce, Mülhens pivoted. Forget medicine-this was now officially a perfume. Smart move. He even tried to borrow prestige by buying the rights to the Farina name... except the Farina family wasn’t selling it and took him to court. So in 1881, Mülhens finally embraced the 4711 name for good. Drama? Oh yes. But it smelled great.

Though the original building didn’t survive, the modern 4711 flagship store still draws scent lovers from around the world. Inside, you’ll find a museum, antique Rosoli bottles, old-school perfume flasks, and the legendary Fragrance Fountain, which continuously flows with the iconic 4711 Eau de Cologne. And just to keep things classy, the building even serenades the street with 20 bells chiming out three melodies every hour.

Hot tip:
You can blend your own personal fragrance or simply stock up on gift-worthy scents and quirky souvenirs. Just don’t blame us if you leave smelling like royalty...

Gottfried and Elizabeth Bohm designed the modern WDR Arcades building. The building was completed during the 1990s. The building is owned by the area's largest broadcasting company, Westdeutscher Rundfunk. The design features an urban facade and an interior atrium with a glass dome.

The WDR Arcades houses a shopping center, WDR newsroom, and offices. The shopping center is located on the first floor, and the WDR spaces are located on the upper floors.

The building houses the WDR's central newsrooms, library, press archive, and historical archive. In addition, the Deutsche Post has offices in the WDR building.

The shops and restaurants are located in the first-floor atrium. Visitors can check out fashion boutiques, jewelry stores, and shop for souvenirs. Maus & Co. is a popular store that sells Captain Bluebear merchandise.

A place where Roman sandals once shuffled and now it's sneakers and shopping bags that rule the pavement, High Street is one of Cologne's oldest arteries. Indeed, this bustling, pedestrian-only stretch is where history meets retail therapy big time!!!

Back in Roman times, High Street was known as the Cardo Maximus-a grand name for what was essentially ancient Cologne’s main drag. Imagine it lined with vendors, temples, and the impressive Praetorium, while two Roman legions lounged in nearby barracks, grabbed a bite in the canteen, or got patched up at the local military hospital. Who knew early urban planning came with such perks?

Over the centuries, High Street has been many things to many people. In the Middle Ages, it was known as Stone Street-probably not the softest place to trip on a cobblestone. Then came the French in the late 1700s, who decided “High Street” had a nicer ring to it, especially thanks to the High Porte (a big ol’ city gate) standing at the southern end.

By the 19th century, High Street ditched the swords and scrolls for shopping bags and storefronts, becoming one of Cologne’s premier commercial hubs. And today, it’s still going strong. From international fashion brands to the legendary Stollwerck chocolate shop (yes, it smells as good as you’re imagining), there’s something for everyone here. If you need a break, grab a coffee at one of the many cafés, or lose an hour (or five) in the massive Lego store that brings out the kid in even the most serious of adults.

So, whether you’re hunting for souvenirs or just wandering where emperors once walked, Cologne’s High Street delivers history, snacks, and shopping-no chariots, though...