Contents - Cologne Convention Bureau

Cologne has a world-class art scene. Over 40 museums, well over 110 galleries and numerous ateliers
house eminent artistic masterpieces from different epochs and practically all styles. Paintings
by Rubens and Rembrandt can be admired in the world-renowned Wallraf-Richartz-Museum and
the biggest pop-art collection outside of the USA can be enjoyed in the Museum Ludwig.
The Chocolate Museum is without a doubt the sweetest temptation in the form of a museum. It
was founded in 1993 by entrepreneur Hans Imhoff, who for decades was in charge of traditional
chocolate maker, Stollwerck. Since then it has drawn hundreds of thousands of chocolate lovers
each year – not least thanks to its unique chocolate fountain. Just next door, the German Sports
& Olympics Museum displays exhibitions on nearly 3,000 years of sports history from the an cient
world to today. Cologne is a vibrant art centre, with unique collections at institutions such as the
Romano-Germanic Museum, Museum of East Asian Art, City History Museum, Praetorium and
Museum of Applied Arts – just to name a few. Do not hesitate to ask if you would like to integrate a
visit to a highly-regarded special exhibition into your incentive concept.
Highlights in Cologne’s cultural landscape also include the Municipal Playhouse, innovative theatre
and cabaret groups, numerous literature and film events, and much more. In addition to Cologne’s
Opera and over 200 different musical ensemble groups, the Philharmonie regularly performs highlights
of (usually classical) music. Enjoy performances of the Gürzenich Orchestra or the WDR Symphony
Orchestra Cologne in one of the world’s most acoustically perfect concert halls. Cologne
has a leading international music scene, with stars from around the world regularly selling out the
LANXESS arena or RheinEnergieStadion. Other up-and coming groups can be heard at clubs and
bars throughout the city. The young music scene meets each year at the c/o pop festival.
In recent times the architectural face of the city has been transformed. Buildings like Peter Zumthor’s
Kolumba, an artistic dialogue between the sacred and secular, the futuristic KölnTriangle, Renzo
Piano’s glass “Weltstadt-Kaufhaus” and the “crane buildings” have given the city a more modern
look. Innovative design is celebrated in the Museum of Applied Arts, the city’s international design
schools and annual design events. With the annual “Passagen” taking place alongside the international
furniture show, Cologne has become a successful centre for design.
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