A magnificent and majestic monument of Gothic architecture, one of the most beautiful Catholic cathedrals in Europe. It is the largest church in Germany. Cologne Cathedral was built from the XIII to the XIX centuries. During the Second World War, it withstood more than ten bombings and survived. The facade of the temple is the largest church facade in the world. Priceless Christian relics are kept inside – the remains of the Magi who welcomed the newborn Christ.

The city administration building is a few meters from the Cologne Cathedral. The oldest part of the town hall was built in the XIV century, but these buildings are almost not preserved. The building that has survived to this day is a copy of the structure of the beginning of the XV century (during the Second World War, the town hall was completely destroyed). The Gothic tower of the town hall with a height of 61 meters is a symbol of Cologne.

The Augustusburg Palace is considered a masterpiece of Baroque architecture. Its interiors are decorated in a luxurious Rococo manner, and the palace landscape park completes the harmonious architectural ensemble. The complex appeared in the XVIII century thanks to the desire of Archbishop Clemens August von Wittelsbach, who was distinguished by a subtle elegant taste and a craving for the beautiful.

A medieval castle on the water, located in the Sulz district. It bears the name "Weishaus", which means "White House". In the Middle Ages, the fortress served as a defensive structure and the residence of the abbey of the Benedictine Order. The brick tower of the castle has remained unchanged since the beginning of the XVII century, the rest of the buildings belong to the XIX century. Nowadays, a private person owns the castle.

The Museum of Modern Art, which presents interesting collections of Surrealists, expressionists, Cubists, avant-gardists, pop art, graphics and other relevant trends. The exposition was founded by the German chocolate magnate P. Ludwig and his wife in the second half of the XX century. Of particular value are the works of such masters as Pablo Picasso, Tom Wasselman, Kazimir Malevich, Andy Warhol.

The museum was founded by the confectionery company "Imhoff-Stolverk" in 1993. This company is considered a respected chocolate factory with rich traditions and a long history. It was founded at the beginning of the XIX century. The exhibits of the chocolate museum will tell visitors about the history of this delicacy, from the time of the American Aztecs to the present day. There is a cafe-shop at the museum, where you can taste various varieties of chocolate and buy sweet souvenirs.

An archaeological museum that contains exhibits covering the historical period from primitive times to the fall of the Eastern Roman Empire (that is, the early Middle Ages). The lands surrounding the Rhine River were once remote Roman provinces. The museum exhibits household items and household items of the inhabitants of these lands dating from the I-IV centuries AD. The remains of the facades of ancient villas, sculptures and mosaics are stored here.

The museum is one of the oldest in Germany. His collections are truly unique – works by Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Monet, samples of medieval painting and ancient icons that survived the terrible time of the church Reformation are stored here. The Walraf-Richartz Museum was founded in 1861 thanks to the efforts of the local merchant-philanthropist I.G. Richartz and the rector of the University of Cologne F.F. Walraf.

An impressive collection of medieval art, given to Cologne by Mr. A. Schnütgen at the beginning of the XX century. Here visitors can see tapestries, decorations, festive church vestments, sculptures, precious dishes and ornaments. The exposition is dominated by religious themes, since Schnutgen had a rather high-level ordination and was a member of the governing church body.

The building where the workshop and shop of Wilhelm Mullens, the famous Cologne perfumer, the founder of an entire dynasty and the creator of the Eau De Cologne 4711 brand fragrance series, were located. The room also houses a small museum where you can learn a lot of interesting things from the history of cologne. The 4711 brand is the German Chanel No. 5, a famous and revered perfume brand.

The Johan-Maria Farina perfume factory is the closest competitor of the Mullens dynasty. Both houses claim primacy in the creation of cologne (Eau de Cologne). This essence was first called "Cologne water" until the French gave it a more elegant name. Farina's House contains all the famous fragrances that have ever been created by the perfumers of the family.

A concert hall and a place for official events. Its history began in the XV century, when the noble family of Gurzenich decided to build for themselves a separate building for diplomatic meetings, meetings, and at the same time for entertainment. In the middle of the XIX century, the Gyurzenich was rebuilt as a concert hall. In 1943, the building was destroyed, it was never restored to its original form.

The gate was once used as the main entrance to the city. This is a powerful and majestic structure that guarded medieval Cologne. Holy Roman emperors entered the city through the gates to venerate the relics of the Magi in Cologne Cathedral. The Hanentorburg Gate was built in the XIII century and has survived almost in its original form.

The city gate of the XIII century (according to other sources – the XIV century), from which the road to the south from Cologne to the city of Bonn began. The structure was part of the city's defensive fortifications. At the gate of St. Severin, the Cologne authorities usually met royalty and important guests – their own rulers, their noble brides and foreign kings who arrived on a friendly visit.

The ancient fort is a defensive structure that guarded the approaches to Cologne. The name can be translated as "potter's gate". Since the middle of the XIII century, the fortress regularly performed defensive functions, but in 1450 it was closed, walled up and transferred to the possession of the Carthusian monastery. After some time, the monks adapted the powerful tower of the fort for a windmill.

The building is located in the northern part of Cologne. Along with Ulrepfort, Hanentorburg and the Gate of St. Severin, the Aigelstein Gate formed the system of defensive fortifications of Cologne. There was also a customs house, a prison and a court. During the Second World War, they were thoroughly destroyed. Restoration work began as quickly as possible.

Medieval building of the XII-XIII centuries, which was erected to protect the city. The tower has survived several restorations, during the gradual demolition of the old fortress walls of Cologne, it always remained intact, but still it could not escape the destruction of the Second World War. The restoration of the tower was undertaken only in the 80s of the twentieth century.

A picturesque temple, which is located near the Cologne Cathedral. The church is interesting because elements of several styles are guessed in its architecture: Gothic, Baroque and classical Byzantine style. Like most of Cologne's historic buildings, the structure was destroyed by bombs in World War II. The modern church building is an artful copy of the construction of the XII-XIII centuries.

A Catholic church built in the Romanesque architectural manner. It is a powerful building with symmetrical laconic forms, two tall towers and a strict facade. In the Early Middle Ages, Christians gathered here on the hill to perform their rites. The interior of the church is not distinguished by luxury, in the interiors one can guess the Moroccan style characteristic of the Cordoba Caliphate.

Romanesque basilica, founded on the site of a monastery of the X century. This is a very ancient temple, which already in the XI century was one of the spiritual centers of the Christian community. Over the 1000 years of its history, the Apostolic Church has been rebuilt many times, so almost nothing has been preserved from the original interiors. Nowadays, the church belongs to the Catholic community of Cologne.

Cable car over the Rhine River, a popular tourist attraction. It offers a stunning view of Cologne Cathedral. During the trip by cable car, the tourist is given the opportunity to see the temple in all its glory. The cable car opened for the first time in 1957, but five years later it was dismantled due to the need to use the land for the construction of a zoo. Her "second birth" took place in 1996.

Railway arch bridge over the Rhine. Its opening took place at the beginning of the XX century. The bridge perfectly harmonizes with the architecture of the Cologne Cathedral. The structure was blown up during World War II and fully restored only by 1958. For local couples, the Hohenzollern Bridge is a "bridge of love", where you definitely need to hang an iron lock that binds the hearts, and throw the key into the Rhine.

Park and botanical garden, one of the oldest in all of Europe. It was organized in the XIX century. The Prussian master P. Lenne worked on landscape design. On the territory of the park there are walking alleys, greenhouses, meadows, sculptural groups and a small lake. The entire infrastructure of the botanical garden is designed for maximum comfort of visitors.

An amusement park that has been operating for more than half a century. It is considered one of the first in Europe. Fantasia Land is a worthy analogue of Disneyland Paris. It is very popular among residents of Germany, as well as among tourists. There are several thematic zones on the territory: the Wild West, the Mexican prairies, Ancient Greece, the Celestial Empire and others.

A zoo where a whole herd of elephants lives. Huge African animals have been living safely on the territory of the Cologne Zoo for ten years. The zoo also boasts an impressive population of baboons (more than 150 individuals) and a large roomy aquarium. The zoo was founded in 1860. The number of visitors per year ranges from 1.5 million to 1.7 million people.