We took an early morning, one hour flight from Berlin to Cologne. Our hotel in Cologne was within walking distance to Cologne Cathedral which is where we spent the next 2 hours. There was a restaurant with a view of the west front of the Cathedral, where we had a hearty breakfast while enjoying the view.
Cologne Cathedral – Begun in 1248, the construction of this Gothic masterpiece took place in several stages and was not completed until 1880. It was badly damaged in World War II and repaired in 1956. In 1996, the cathedral was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list of culturally important sites.
The shrine is a large gilded and decorated triple sarcophagus placed above and behind the high alter of Cologne Cathedral. Built approximately from 1180 to 1225, it is largest reliquary in the Western world.
Admission to the treasure Chamber and tower(500 steps) is 8e. As you walk up to the tower, you can see in all 11 bells, 4 of which are medieval. You get a great view of river Rhine and the surrounding area from the top.
Rhine river cruise – We had booked a one hour cruise on river Rhine through Viator. On this ride we got a view of some important Cologne landmarks, including the twin-spires of Cologne Cathedral, and some of the picturesque buildings of the Old Town.
Cologne old town – As you walk along the Rhine, you can enjoy great views of churches and monuments that adorn this city. One of the most stunning buildings in Cologne is the Historic Town Hall which is home to the Mayor of Cologne. It was badly damaged during World War Two, and was painstakingly rebuilt.
The beautiful Romanesque cathedral of Great St Martin is another building that attracts your attention. This cathedral was re-opened in 1985 following extreme damage during World War II.
Cologne Cable car – This cable car runs across Rhine with a great view of the old town, Rhine river, and Hohenzollern bridge.
Cologne Cable car ride
