TRAVEL | COLOGNE
waterways, something not lost on the Roman settlers of 19 BC. In fact, it’s the largest city on the Rhine,
a river that provides some of the best views of the area, something tourists are encouraged to appreciate under their own steam.
The Rhine itself is best viewed from the Old Town, an area
rebuilt after wartime devastation and known worldwide for its stunning architecture, rustic narrow alleyways, museums and scores of authentic restaurants and bars.
SIGHTS BEST VIEWED FROM ON HIGH It’s also an area that forms part of the world-renouned Rhine Panorama, along with the Cathedral, the Romanesque Great St Martin Church and the historic City Hall’s landmark tower. Delve deeply inside and you’ll find such gems among the monuments as the Ludwig and Farina Fragrance museums and fountains such as the figures of Tunnes and Schal and the Heinzelmannchen, or Cologne Elves. It’s also one of Germany’s most popular retail centres, attracting shoppers who fly in regularly just for the chance to visit the stores of Hohe Strabe or Schildergasse or the boutiques of Ehrenstrabe or Mittelstrabe. There’s
something among frequent
of an open secret visitors: when you’ve
experienced the city from ground level, you can experience it all again from above. Aside from the cable car which whisks people over the river to the zoo, the city is dotted with stunning vantage points such as the 360-degree panorama platform on top of the 100 metre KölnTriangle, or LVR Tower, as it is better known. There’s a viewing platform on the south tower of Cologne Cathedral, but unlike the lift that takes you to the thickly glassed area at the LVR, you have to climb 533 steps up a narrow spiral staircase. But there are bonuses. Not only will you have the satisfaction of climbing the world’s third highest cathedral,
at the halfway stage you get to see the belfry which houses St Peter’s Bell, or d’r decke Pitter (Fat Pete) to locals; the largest freely suspended church bell in the world. And the views from the top are extensive; taking in the Seven Hills south of Bonn on clear days.
Then again, the Dom, as it is known, is worth a visit on its own. It survived 14 wartime bombing raids which devastated the city and it is known to be the resting place of the remains Three Kings. Today, more than a million people live in a city which has grown from its Roman roots to become one of Europe’s most important economic centres. The central train station is a major European hub, the Cologne/Bonn Airport is a key location for low-cost carriers,
and there are good connections to a network of motorways. Its industrial heart has traditionally been driven by chemical and car plants and companies from the service and media sector, although there is rising prominence among those involved in biotechnology and life sciences. Renowned research institutes such as the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and four Max Planck Institutes
WHERE TO SHOP - FIVE OF THE MOST POPULAR STREETS
SCHILDERGASSE: One of the most-visited in Germany: smart, pedestrianised. Stores include Douglas; perfect for eau de cologne.
EHRENSTRASSE: Packed with small designer stores. A mecca for the young and the trendy.
HOHE STRASSE: in the historic Old Town, one of Cologne’s busiest and most popular. It is also home to Galleria Kaufhof, one of the biggest department stores in Germany.
MAASTRICHTER STRASSE: In the heart of the fashionable Belgian
Quarter. Popular with artists and discerning young shoppers seeking cool concept stores and new designer boutiques.
BREITE STRASSE: home to the Karstadt department store and Goldkopf Parfumerie.
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INTERZUM WORLD PREVIEW
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