Cologne is a metropolis full of charisma and charm, spread out on the banks of the Rhine, along with Istanbul and Rome, is one of the three holiest cities in the world. Its 2,000-year history is reflected in Romanesque basilicas, well-groomed winding streets, palaces and Gothic architecture of ancient buildings. This place is famous for its numerous tourist sites, which will take at least a week to explore. For those of you who don't have time and are wondering what to see in Cologne in one day, we have prepared an overview of the most famous sights of the cathedral city.

Cologne Cathedral

An independent tour of the metropolis traditionally begins with a visit to the second largest temple in the world (after Ulm Munster). The unique architecture, historical significance and dazzling stained-glass windows, which combine 72 shades, contributed to the inclusion of a grandiose building, located next to the main railway station, in the list of UNESCO cultural heritage sites. The first stone of the Roman Catholic Church was laid in 1248. The city authorities wanted to build a basilica larger than all existing temples in Europe. However, their plans did not come true – in 1450, construction stopped.

The resumption of work began only after 300 years. In 1880, thanks to the generous donations of King Frederick William IV of Prussia, Cologne Cathedral received its first parishioners. The Kölner Dom is a masterpiece of Gothic style. The lacy spiers of the five-aisled basilica soar 157 meters into the sky. Inside the towers are equipped with spiral staircases, each of which has 509 steps leading to the bell towers and observation platforms. A dizzying panorama of the city awaits those who are strong in body and spirit, opening from a height of 95 m. In 1164, the emperor of the Roman Empire, Frederick I Barbarossa, presented the religious shrine as a gift to the archbishop.

The cathedral is open daily:

During worship, the entrance for tourists is closed. A visit to the church is free, the cost of climbing to the observation deck is 4 euros.

Palaces Augustusburg and Falkenlust

The magnificent ensemble of the XVIII century, consisting of two luxurious buildings in the city of Brühl, located 14 km from Cologne, is an example of rococo and late baroque architecture. The adjacent elegant park with double flower beds was designed in 1728 by the French garden designer Dominique Girard, who designed the Nymphenburg and Upper Belvedere gardens in Vienna. The history of the delightful buildings in the Rhine-Erft region takes us back to 1725, when the Archbishop and Elector of Cologne Clemens August gave the order to build a summer residence for him – a palace named after the owner.

Fifteen years later, near Augustusburg, the small castle of Falkenlust appeared – a place for solitude, secret meetings and falconry. The interiors of both buildings received a rich rocaille design. Particularly impressive is the main palace staircase in Augustusburg. In Falkenlust, the Indian lacquered office deserves attention, in the decoration of which Asian motifs can be traced. At different times, the guests of the architectural complex were Elizabeth II, Mikhail Gorbachev, Nelson Mandela and Pope John Paul II. Today, the historic structures are open to the public as museums.

Working hours:

Address: Castles Brühl Schlossstraße 6.

Amusement park “Fantasy Land”

The city of Brühl is also home to a fantastic land of fun – the Phantasialand theme park, offering entertainment for all ages. The territory, equal in area to 80 football fields, is divided into 6 sectors, transferring guests to old Berlin, Mexico, medieval China, the Wild West, Ancient Hellas and mysterious Africa. In each zone, visitors are greeted by traditional architecture and “local” residents dressed in national costumes.

The attractions of the park are endless. The daredevils line up for the Night Hawk, a roller coaster whose trolleys rush at incredible speed in pitch darkness along a track full of sharp turns, ups and downs. Those who prefer quieter activities will be interested in hot air ballooning, cable car travel and boating.

Address: Berggeiststraße 31-41, Brühl. The park is open from March to January.

Museum Ludwig

Admirers of contemporary art are waiting for an art gallery on Heinrich-Böll-Platz, created on the basis of a private collection of the family of the German philanthropist and collector Peter Ludwig. In 1986, the couple opened a museum with a collection of 350 works. Today, the Art Nouveau building exhibits photo and video materials, examples of Russian avant-garde, pop art, abstract art, expressionism and post-impressionism.

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Among the treasures of the museum: the creations of Picasso, Chagall, Malevich, Rodchenko, Kirchner, Popova. Some expositions, such as, for example, half-empty bottles surrounded by cigarette boxes stacked on top of each other, put even admirers of surrealism into a stupor.

The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00. The entrance ticket costs 12.00 €.

Hahnentorburg Gate

Seven centuries ago, a fortress wall passed here. Its western front gate saw the solemn entry of the emperors of the Roman Empire, who were on their way to Cologne to worship the relics of the Magi. At the beginning of the 19th century, the medieval building was used as prison walls, and in 1877 the first horse-drawn station was opened on the adjacent square. In 1888, expositions of the historical museum were placed in the premises of the perfectly preserved building.

The British air raids of 1943 partially destroyed the architectural monument. After the restoration, the Hanentorburg Gate was used as a gallery exhibiting works by German artists. Since 1988, the building has housed the headquarters of the guard of honor for the annual carnival.

Address: Rudolfplatz 1.

cable car

Sights can be seen by walking the streets, riding a bike or taking a tour bus. But what about viewing interesting places from above, or rather, from the cable car gondola stretched across the river? The opening of the funicular took place in April 1957. The first guest was German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer. Since then, the air crossing, equipped at a height of 34 m, has transported more than 20 million passengers, offering them an impressive panorama of the Rhine and the metropolis spread on its banks.

The 935 m long funicular has 44 cabins for 4 people. Movement speed – 10 km / h. To use this unusual mode of transport, you need to get to the Zoo / Flora stop (bus line 140) or Claudius-Therme (lines 150, 250, 260). Fare:

Opening hours: from 20.03. until 01.11. daily from 10:00 to 18:00.

Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The construction of the city's second largest temple (after the Kölner Dom) began in 1618. The first architect of the project was an admirer of the Baroque style, Christoph Wamser. The Thuringian Valentin Bolz took over in 1623. In 1628, Ferdinand of Bavaria, Elector of the Roman Empire, donated a 22.5 m high gilded altar to the church. A year later, divine services began within the walls of the basilica, although construction work was completed only in 1689.

With the advent of the Napoleonic troops, hard times came for the church. In 1794 it was looted and closed. The doors of the cathedral opened again for parishioners only in 1801, after the adoption of Catholicism by France. The bombs of World War II wiped out the baroque building from the face of the earth. The restored holy house appeared at Marzellenstrasse 26 in 1979. Today the basilica is used by the Italian community as a parish church. In the main nave, the only mechanical model of the nativity scene in Cologne is exhibited, recreating the scenes of the night of the Nativity of Christ.

Church of Saint Martin

The townspeople call one of the 12 Romanesque churches Big Saint Martin. The construction of the three-aisled basilica with a pointed spire and four 70-meter corner towers began in 1220. The basis of the building was the foundation of a Benedictine monastery destroyed by fire. During its centuries-old history, the building has experienced more than one reconstruction. The last restoration ended in 1985, since then the doors of the temple have been open to parishioners.

Compared to the decorated multi-colored stained-glass windows, vaults and monumental facade, the interior decoration is striking in its modesty, bordering on asceticism. The interior is decorated only with a sculptural image of a crucifix, an altar made in the form of a clover leaf, and a fragment of an ancient column. According to legend, an ancient relic does not let people with evil thoughts into the walls of the temple.

The basilica is located on An Groß St. Martin 9 and is open from 9:30 to 19:30 (Tuesday-Friday) and from 10:00 to 19:30 on weekends.

Hohenzollern Bridge

Along with the central station, the 409.19 m long arched concrete and steel railway structure crossing the Rhine is an important transport hub in Germany. The Hohenzollern Bridge, which carries around 1,500 trains daily, is an integral part of the city's landscape. At night, it is illuminated by powerful spotlights, making this object a favorite subject for photography.

The first river crossing, named after the famous German dynasty of kings of Prussia, opened in 1911. Those entering the bridge were greeted by equestrian statues and sculptures of emperors. In 1943, the building was badly damaged by bombs, and two years later it was completely destroyed. Traffic on the restored bridge resumed in 1948.

If you are on a romantic trip, do not be lazy to walk across the Rhine bridge on foot. Along the way, you will see millions of symbols of love – a variety of castles (from tiny to huge barns), completely covering the iron supports of the structure. The tradition of leaving engraved signs of an unbreakable union on the fences began with the advent of the 21st century. Despite repeated attempts by the city authorities to remove the locks, they still serve as a decoration for the Hohenzollern Bridge, adding several tons to its weight.

Tunnès and Shel

For connoisseurs of folklore, the metropolis has prepared a gift: a sculptural composition on Alter Markt, depicting two completely opposite characters. One of them, thin, cunning and arrogant Shel, is dressed in a tuxedo and a bowler hat, the other is plump, friendly and stupid Tynnes, looks like a simple villager. This couple is the protagonist of numerous anecdotes and comic theatrical productions.

The history of heroes began in 1803, when Johann Christoph Winters, founder of the Hänneschen puppet theater, introduced two invented characters into the repertoire, which later became allegories of resourcefulness and innocence. In 1974, the Austrian sculptor Wolfgang Andreas Reuter immortalized a funny couple in metal. Tourists have a belief: whoever stands on the tips of the shoes of both figures and rubs the outstanding nose of Tynnes, the bronze inhabitants will give good luck in business and happiness.

town hall

To the north of the historical part of the metropolis, on the Rathausplatz square, there is the oldest German town hall – the meeting place of the City Administration. According to archival documents, in the middle of the 12th century there was already a “Citizens' House”, representing the interests of local residents and merchants of the Hansa (Northern European trade union). In 1330, a new building was erected on the foundations of the old building, which in 1414 was supplemented by a 61-meter Gothic tower. After another 150 years, a gazebo in the Renaissance style appeared. As a result of numerous reconstructions, today's town hall strikes with a mixture of architectural trends.

The facade of the five-story building is decorated with 124 sandstone sculptures depicting famous citizens of the city, saints and powers that be: emperors and popes. The tower has a carillon containing a set of 45 bronze bells. One of 24 pre-programmed melodies is heard four times a day. Through the baroque main entrance, visitors enter a spacious 30-meter hall 3.30 m high. It is decorated with a copy of the Altar of the patrons of the city, the original of which is kept in Cologne Cathedral.

Saint Severin's Gate

The well-preserved southern gate through which the road to Bonn, located 30 km away, is reminiscent of the times of the Middle Ages, when the city was surrounded by a fortress wall. Built in the 13th century, the four-storey stone building is a massive hexagonal tower topped with a crenellated roof and complemented by two side turrets. This place served not only as a trade route. Here the city authorities met high-ranking guests: Prussian kings and foreign monarchs.

In 1881, the defensive fortifications were demolished, and the natural history museum was established in the bastion, which was soon replaced by the museum of hygiene. With the coming to power of the National Socialist Party, the premises housed the headquarters of the Hitler Youth, and in 1979 a public center began to function in the historic building.

The attraction is located on Chlodwigplatz 2.

Botanical Garden “Flora”

A visit to the urban green oasis is a must-have on a one-day tourist itinerary. A visit here won't hurt your budget – admission to the park is free. On the territory of 11.5 hectares, surrounded by fountains, sculptures, ponds and flower beds, exotic representatives of the world of flora grow. Giant trees, such as the American sequoia, coexist here with European beeches and Asian laurels.

The highlight of the garden is rose gardens and four interconnected greenhouses, where the same temperature is maintained throughout the year. They contain a collection of 5,000 plant species of the tropics and deserts. Near the palm alley there are comfortable benches that offer a view of a small waterfall.

The Botanical Garden is located at Amsterdamer Strasse 34. You can get here by tram lines 16 and 18 or omnibus number 140. Stop – Zoo / Flora.

Boat trip along the Rhine

In the historical center of the metropolis, a little south of the Cologne Cathedral, there is an embankment – a place whose image is depicted on souvenirs purchased by tourists in memory of the city. A long well-groomed alley paved with paving stones offers not only picturesque views of the Rhine and the Hohenzollern Bridge, but also numerous bars, restaurants and traditional open-air beer gardens (Biergarten). In addition, there are several marinas from which you can take a refreshing journey along one of the longest rivers in Europe from March to October.

We recommend that you join a panoramic boat trip organized by the shipping company Köln-Düsseldorf Rheinschiffahrt. On board a comfortable boat for 20 guests, you will see the most famous sights of the fourth largest city in Germany from an unusual angle.

The river bus departs from the pier (you will find it by the big red letters KD) at 10:30, 12:00, 13:30, 15:00, 16:30 and 18:00. Ticket price: adult – 10.40 €, children – 6 €. During the trip, you can use a German or English audio guide. Travel time is one hour.

Claudian terms

Those who feel pleasantly tired from a fascinating walk through the interesting places of Cologne are waiting for Claudius Therme – a magnificent health complex located in the Rhine Park at Sachsenbergstraße 1. The territory, decorated with original buildings stylized as the architectural structures of Ancient Rome, is divided into several sectors. The first of these is a common area, including an inhalation room, jacuzzi, solariums and baths (open and closed). The most visited is the pool with thermal water, the temperature of which does not fall below +23 °C.

This is followed by a bath area, consisting of wooden huts. Herbal and Finnish saunas, a hot Erdwal sauna with a fireplace, a Russian bath, a Serailbad bath with Ayurvedic massages and a panoramic sauna overlooking the cathedral are offered to the attention of visitors. A light dinner in one of the cozy cafes will be an addition to relaxing rest and wellness procedures.

The Baths of Claudia are open daily from 9:00 to 24:00. A one-time visit to the center (2 hours) will cost you 13.50 euros on weekdays and 15.50 euros on weekends.