Cologne - the ancient city on the Rhine river

With a history of more than 2,000 years, Cologne is not only an important economic and cultural center of Germany but also a famous tourist destination thanks to its historical architecture, rich museums and unique festivals.

Cologne is not only an important economic and cultural center of Germany but also a popular tourist destination.

Preserving many treasures of Germany

Cologne (German: Koln), the 4th largest city in Germany, is located on the banks of the gentle Rhine River. Founded by the Romans in 50 BC, Cologne is like a multi-dimensional book of history and architecture, most notably the medieval church architecture.

Most prominent is Cologne Cathedral, also known as St. Peter's Cathedral, an impressive Gothic-style structure, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

With its two impressive towers reaching 157m, Cologne Cathedral is one of the tallest churches in the world and a symbol of Cologne. Construction began in 1248 and was completed in 1880, taking over 600 years to reach its current form.

Inside the cathedral is the Shrine of the Three Kings, one of the most precious religious treasures of Catholicism. Visitors can also climb to the top of the tower to admire the panoramic view of the city from above. Cologne Cathedral is not only an attractive tourist destination but also an important religious building, attracting millions of pilgrims every year.

Unlike Cologne, the Romanesque-style Great St. Martin Cathedral is located in the center of Cologne. The cathedral was built in the 12th century and is considered one of the most important churches in the city. The cathedral is 70m long, 23m wide and the bell tower is 75m high. The exterior of the cathedral is decorated with reliefs and sculptures. The interior of the cathedral has a peaceful and solemn atmosphere.

The Hohenzollern Bridge is also one of the most famous landmarks in Cologne, not only because of its important role in transportation but also because of its romantic significance. This is where thousands of couples have hung “love locks” on the bridge railing as a promise of eternal love. The colorful locks with engraved names have turned the bridge into one of the symbols of love in Cologne.

The Altstadt is the heart of Cologne, where you can easily feel the intersection between past and present through the cobbled alleys and colorful houses. Altstadt retains its cultural and architectural heritage from the Middle Ages. When you walk in this area, you will admire the small squares, ancient churches, and especially the historical atmosphere.

One of the highlights of the Altstadt is the Heumarkt and Alter Markt squares, where many of the city's major events and festivals take place, especially the famous carnival every February.

The Cologne Triangle is a 103m high observation deck that offers 360-degree views of the city below. From here, you can enjoy panoramic views of the German metropolis and admire the beauty of the Rhine River and the surrounding landscape for just 5 EUR. On a clear day, the view from the top of the tower can extend to 80km.

Cologne is also an ideal place for chocolate lovers with the Chocolate Museum located right on the banks of the Rhine River. Here, visitors will discover the history of chocolate production and consumption from ancient times to modern times.

The highlight of the museum is the giant chocolate fountain, where visitors can taste fresh chocolate on the spot. You can also tour the miniature chocolate factory and buy sweet souvenirs at the museum shop. This is definitely a fun experience, especially for families with young children.

If you are passionate about art, Cologne also has many famous museums such as the Ludwig Museum, the Wallraf-Richartz Museum and the Rautenstrauch-Joest Museum. These museums own unique and historically valuable works of art, and also have many exhibitions and art events that attract many tourists and locals.

In addition, Cologne also has many entertainment areas such as Rheinpark, Phap Hoa Park, Stadtgarten Park and Phantasialand. In particular, Rheinpark is one of the most beautiful parks in Cologne, located on the banks of the Rhine River with beautiful natural scenery and many interesting entertainment activities for tourists.

Many special festivals

Cologne is also a vibrant and fun city with many activities and events taking place throughout the year.

Karneval takes place from the night of November 11 to February 11. It is one of Cologne's biggest festivals, attracting millions of visitors from all over the world. Karneval is described as a fun-filled day with extravagant costumes, lively parties, and activities such as parades and performances.

The Cologne Light Festival is held in the fall, attracting thousands of tourists to come here to admire the beautiful light works. At this festival, buildings, bridges and monuments will be decorated with sparkling LED lights, creating a colorful space and suitable for taking pictures.

During the Cologne Christmas Festival, the city's streets are decorated with Christmas lights and cafes, pubs and retail stores open their doors to welcome visitors. Visitors can enjoy typical Christmas foods such as cookies, waffles and rosemary tea.

The Cologne Carnival is also a traditional festival that has been held for centuries and is still very popular with locals and tourists. The festival takes place over 6 days and lasts from the 11th of November to Thanksgiving. The Cologne Carnival is described as a festival where people wear masks and strange costumes to relieve stress and anxiety after a year of work.

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Source: https://baobariavungtau.com.vn/du-lich/202504/cologne-thanh-pho-co-ben-dong-song-rhine-1040868/