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Cologne Travel Guide

Cologne is easily accessible from Austria and Switzerland, especially while you sleep, with the comfortable ÖBB night trains. ÖBB Nightjets make a regular stop in the Rhine metropolis on their routes to Amsterdam and Brussels. During Carnival season, Cologne is known as the "fool's capital" of Germany. But the city is also famous year-round for its hospitality and open-mindedness. Right outside the main train station, you'll be almost overwhelmed by the impressive sight of Cologne Cathedral. Cologne can also be the starting point for a boat trip on the Rhine.

Cologne is easily accessible from Austria and Switzerland, especially while you sleep, with the comfortable ÖBB night trains. ÖBB Nightjets make a regular stop in the Rhine metropolis on their routes to Amsterdam and Brussels. During Carnival season, Cologne is known as the "fool's capital" of Germany. But the city is also famous year-round for its hospitality and open-mindedness.

Right outside the main train station, you'll be almost overwhelmed by the impressive sight of Cologne Cathedral. Cologne can also be the starting point for a boat trip on the Rhine.

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TACH KÖLN

WORTH SEEING

CHURCHES

MUSEUMS

THE RHINE

LOCAL TRANSPORT

IMPRINT


Tach Köln


Tach Köln

The ÖBB Nightjet brings travellers to Cologne

safely, comfortably, and above all, completely

stress-free. Whether it’s a business or vacation trip,

traveling by train is not only more comfortable but

also significantly more environmentally friendly.

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Worth Seeing


Heinzelmännchen (legendary elves)

Opposite the largest brewery in Cologne, Früh,

stands the Heinzelmännchen Fountain. The

fountain depicts the curious tailor's wife from the

legend “The Heinzelmännchen.”

The original statue is located in the Cologne

Zeughaus, while the copy set up here withstands

the weather better.

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Eau de Cologne

Johann Maria Farina was the inventor of Eau de

Cologne, which he named in honor of his adopted

hometown.

When he joined his brother’s company in Cologne

in 1709, the rise of “Johann Maria Farina opposite

Jülichs-Platz” was unstoppable.

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Musical Dome

The Musical Dome was built in 1996 as a venue

for the musical ‘Gaudi’. As part of the opera house

renovation, the Musical Dome hosted the Opera

am Dom from 2012 to 2015.

For the following seasons, the Cologne Opera

moved to the StaatenHaus at Rheinpark in

Cologne-Deutz. The Musical Dome then resumed

its original function as a musical theatre.

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Roman Forum

No, one can assume that the ancient Romans did

not eat at McDonald's. Nevertheless, a connection

to the Roman Empire can be made with the

McDonald's branch at Schildergasse 60. The

basement contains remains of the forum, which

stood at this location in 50 AD.

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REMAINS OF ROMAN FORUM


Town Hall

Due to its documentation, the Cologne Town Hall

is the oldest town hall in Germany. The complex,

consisting of partially interconnected buildings,

stands in the center of the Roman settlement

elevated to city status in 50 AD. The oldest

surviving part dates back to 1330.

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4711

Around 1799, Wilhelm Mülhens began selling Eau

de Cologne. 4711 is the house number written by

French troops on Glockengasse 12.

The current house is not the original address but

has developed into a tourist destination. A carillon

chimes hourly from the gable.

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Churches


Cologne Cathedral

The High Cathedral of St. Peter, as the Cologne

Cathedral is officially known, has been a UNESCO

World Heritage Site since 1996. The secondhighest

church building in Europe is Germany’s

most visited sight. The Shrine of the Three Kings

from the 13th century is the largest goldsmith

work of the Middle Ages in Europe. According to a

design by architect August von Essenwein from

1887, the floor of Cologne Cathedral was

decorated with mosaics over an area of 1,350 m².

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TOMB OF THE THREE KINGS (DREIKÖNIGSSCHREIN)

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KKK

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Old St. Heribert

A small church with a long history. Old St. Heribert

was consecrated as early as 1020. Repeatedly

destroyed, this gem stands on the right bank of

the Rhine in Deutz.

The Cuirassier Monument with a mounted soldier

commemorates the time when a barracks still

stood here. Today, Old St. Heribert is a Greek

Orthodox church.

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St. Heribert

The three-aisled pillar basilica is popularly known

as Deutzer Dom (Düxer Dom). St. Heribert was

built on the site of the former Temple Court at

Deutzer Freiheit.

This designation goes back to the Templar Order.

The church houses the Heribert Shrine, dating

from 1175.

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St. Kolumba

The newly built Archdiocesan Diocesan Museum in

2007 encloses the devotional site dating back to

980. During the near-total destruction in 1943,

parts of the outer walls and a Madonna statue

remained intact. In 1947, a chapel was built,

which the people of Cologne call “Madonna in the

Ruins.”

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St. Kunibert

The history of its origin traces back to Saint

Kunibert, the Bishop of Cologne born around 600,

who founded a church at this site. Fires,

hurricanes, and finally the bombs of World War II

repeatedly took a toll on the structure. The

reconstruction was completed in 1993.

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Great St. Martin

Great St. Martin stands on the site that belonged

to the original Roman settlement (Colonia Claudia

Ara Agrippinensium).

Already in the 1st century AD, construction took

place at this location. Excavations from the early

period can be viewed in the crypt.

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Minorite Church

The Franciscans began this Gothic structure in

1245. The house of worship was completed in the

14th century. In 1845, Adolph Kolping received his

priestly ordination here.

The Minorite Church also houses the tomb of the

founder of the Kolping Society. Impressive is the

glass crucifix hovering above the altar.

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Museums


Foto: J. Rieger, Köln/Festkomitee Kölner Karneval

Cologne Carnival Museum

Here, the cultural heritage of the Cologne Carnival

is vividly and clearly presented. The world of the

Cologne Carnival is showcased from its beginnings

to the present day. You can find ornate orders and

traditional uniforms. The largest carnival museum

in the German-speaking world also features the

musical world of the Cologne "Jecken" (carnival

revelers). Numerous multimedia spots show

impressive reports.

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MAKK - Museum of Applied Arts Cologne

O p e n e d i n 1 9 8 9 , t h e M A K K p r e s e n t s

comprehensive collections from 800 years of

European craftsmanship. The MAKK is the only

museum of its kind in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Regularly changing temporary exhibitions provide

a good reason for repeated visits. The café, with

free Wi-Fi access, is also highly recommended.

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Museum Ludwig

The founding of the Museum Ludwig was initiated

by a donation from Irene and Peter Ludwig in

1976. The museum opened in 1986. Since then,

the exhibition has continuously expanded. Today,

the Museum Ludwig ranks among the world’s

most significant art collections of 20th and 21stcentury

works.

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DUE TO RENOVATION:

THE EXHIBITION HAS MOVED TO THE BELGIAN

HOUSE (CÄCILIENSTRASSE 46)

Romano-Germanic Museum

The Romano-Germanic Museum of the City of

Cologne offers a deep insight into the region’s

archaeological history. Exhibits from the Stone,

Bronze, and Iron Ages make the visit a truly special

experience. Here, you can also admire intricate

goldsmith works from the Migration Period and

the world’s largest collection of Roman glass

vessels.

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Lindt Chocolate Museum

Over three levels, you experience the cultural

history of chocolate in the modern glass building.

The museum opened in 1993 and covers an

exhibition area of 4,000 m². Here, you can taste

and create your own chocolate. After the

exhibition, the CHOCOLAT Grand Café offers a

fantastic view of the Rhine.

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CHOCOLATE FOUNTAIN

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Mustard Mill & Shop

The Cologne Mustard Museum houses two of the

world’s oldest mustard mills. The mills produce

360 kg of the finest cold-ground gourmet mustard

daily. The recipes date back to the 15th and 18th

centuries. The mustard has been internationally

awarded several times. A completely different,

highly worthwhile museum.

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Sports & Olympics Museum

The German Sports & Olympics Museum opened

at the end of 1999. The permanent exhibition

displays artifacts from nearly 3,000 years of sports

history, from antiquity to the modern era.

Highlights from the last decade and trendy sports

are presented. Sports like surfing, skateboarding,

and BMX are brought to life through films and

original objects.

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The Rhine


Solar Bird

The sculpture is by Otto Rumpf, a German sculptor

working in Cologne. The Solar Bird is one of the

landmarks of the Cologne Rhine Promenade,

located between Chocolate Museum and Maritim

Hotel. Rumpf creates his sculptures from industrial

found objects. A visit to his residence „Odonien -

Free State for Art and Culture“ is recommended.

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Crane Houses

After the Cologne Rheinauhafen lost its

significance as a Rhine port, the area was

transformed into a leisure and recreation facility.

The groundbreaking for the first building took

place in 2006, and by October 2010, the last

house was ready for occupancy.

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Old Harbor Office

The harbor office at Rheinauhafen dates back to

1898. As part of the redevelopment of

Rheinauhafen, the listed building was expanded

with office and storage space.

The building can be visited daily from 10:00 to

16:00 with free admission.

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Siebengebirge (Seven Hills)

In 1909, the first reinforced concrete skeleton

buildings in Germany were constructed in the

harbor. The complex houses 138 apartments. It is

precisely the contrast between historical buildings

and modern equipment that has long made this

place one of the landmarks of the Cologne

Rheinauhafen.

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Bayen Tower

The Bayen Tower was built in 1217 as part of the

Cologne city fortifications. The walls of the threestory

base are 2.50 meters thick. The octagonal

tower was constructed in 1325.

Since 1994, the tower has been the headquarters

of the “FrauenMediaTurm” Foundation. It houses

an archive on the historical and current women’s

movement.

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Flood Pump Station

The water level of the Rhine is color-coded here.

At normal water levels, the station glows blue or

green. Yellow indicates a raised water level, and

red signals a flood.

The underground pumps divert up to 3,600 liters

of water per second. This prevents potential

backflow of Rhine water into the sewage system.

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Cologne Oval Offices

At Gustav-Heinemann-Ufer, a complex was created

whose construction of glass, steel, and concrete

offers an unexpectedly colorful experience. The

red and green buildings were certified as

Cologne’s first EU GreenBuilding. The Cologne

Oval Offices are certainly a sight worth seeing.

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LanXess Tower

The building, constructed in 1970, served as the

headquarters of Deutsche Lufthansa from 1970 to

2007. It was completely renovated from 2009 to

2013.

The office building now houses the corporate

headquarters of Lanxess AG, and in the front part,

known as the Rheinetagen, the GÖRG law firm has

leased space.

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Cologne Triangle

The view from the roof of the Cologne Triangle

offers a stunning view of the cathedral and the

Hohenzollern Bridge. The skyscraper is 103.2

meters high and has 29 floors.

The platform is open at the top and fully glazed

around. For photos of the cathedral (especially in

the evening), the spot at Kennedy-Ufer is better

suited.

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Die Bastei

Auf den Grundmauern eines bestehenden

preußischen Befestigungsturms plante der Kölner

Architekt Wilhelm Riphahn ein aussergewöhnliches

Aussichtsrestaurant.

Der Bau war in Köln umstritten. Man befürchtete,

dass eigenwillige Gebäude würde nicht in das

Stadtbild passen.

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Local Transport


Schifffahrt

If you want to get to know Cologne, a panoramic

cruise on the Rhine is a wonderful way to get a

good overview.

T h e C o l o g n e D ü s s e l d o r f e r D e u t s c h e

Rheinschiffahrt AG, or KD for short, offers many

scheduled, panoramic, and themed cruises.

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© www.bahnbilder.de

Busse & Bahnen

The Cologne Transport Company (KVB) operates a

complex public transport network of buses and

trains.

The KVB transports more than 850,000 people

daily, using 367 trains and over 300 buses. The

KVB's network consists of almost 60 lines.

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Cologne Cable Car (Kölner Seilbahn)

Crossing the Rhine at dizzying heights is an

extraordinary experience. The Cologne Cable Car

was put into operation during the 1957 Federal

Garden Show. It connects the Rhine Park with the

Cologne Zoo. The route stretches for almost 1,000

meters, and the journey across the Rhine takes

approximately six minutes. The Cologne Cable Car

is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

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Imprint


Route overview

OBB Nightjet and

OBB Nightjet Partner


Experience the OBB trains in 360°.

DE02_EN_Köln © 2025

The team

This e-book was made possible through the kind support of the

regional tourist offices and the OBB. German proofreading and

editorial:Martin Andergassen. English version: Katie Lang

References

Text, videos and photos by Rudolf J. Strutz unless otherwise

stated. Timetables and travel information: OBB.

Assistance from AI

Artificial intelligence applications are occasionally employed for

image editing, including the elimination of undesirable

components. Additionally, AI tools can enhance the clarity of

images and diminish background noise.

OBB railnet

The travel guides are also available free of charge on the OBB

online entertainment and internet portal railnet, which is

installed on all railjets, nightjets (NG) and cityjets.

Copyright

This book was licensed under the Creative Commons License.

Conditions of use: attribution, non-commercial, no editing and

distribution under the same conditions only as a complete

work! The use of individual photos and text is not permitted.

This eBook is available free of charge.

Links

All links provided are current at the time of publication of this e-

book. Links to tickets usually lead directly to the exhibition

location. For tickets and timetables, local public transportation

services are linked.

Logos and company names

All logos and company names are used for information

purposes only; any use outside of this e-book must be approved

by the copyright holders.

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SCOTTY mobile shows the

timetables for all public

transport and helps you plan

your travel route.

Book your trip online or view

the current timetable online and

directly on your mobile phone.

AuVi Photos & eBooks

Rudolf Strutz

Hasengasse 33/25

1100 Vienna

ebooks@oebb-ebooks.at

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