Cologne

Cologne cityscape along the Rhine; Romanesque church apse under a December moon (both © Sacred Destinations); cathedral by night ( Thomas Gerzer)

Cologne (German: Köln) is the largest city in the Rhineland region of Germany, with a population of about 1 million. It is located 17 miles north of Bonn and 117 miles northwest of Frankfurt. Cologne's population is 43% Roman Catholic, 18% Protestant and 39% nonreligious or other. Cologne is best known for its magnificent Gothic cathedral, which was once the tallest building in the world. But Cologne is also so rich in antiquity that every time a new foundation is dug, the excavators come up with archaeological finds.

Extensive bombing during World War II seriously damaged nearly all the buildings of the Old Town, but the cathedral was mostly spared and the old churches have all been lovingly restored. Today, Cologne is a bustling modern city with much to see, from ancient Roman artifacts to magnificent Romanesque churches. Cologne has 31 museums, with exhibits ranging from archeological findings to contemporary art. Most recently, Cologne hosted the 2005 World Youth Festival, attended by German native Pope Benedict XVI.

City Guide & Travel Resources

	Cologne Map Our own detailed, interactive satellite map of Cologne, plus links to more Cologne maps.
	Cologne Photos Explore our exclusive galleries of Cologne's magnificent cathedral, churches, and museums of religious artifacts.
	Cologne Blog Posts Join me on my explorations of Cologne in the photo-heavy Sacred Destinations Travel Blog.
	History of Cologne A brief history of the city of Cologne.
	Cologne Tours and Cruises Book a sightseeing tour or cruise on the Rhine River.
	Cologne Hotels Book the Cologne hotel of your choice at Expedia.
	Cologne Hotel Reviews Read unbiased reviews and compare prices on hotels in Cologne.
	Cologne Travel Forum Get travel advice and insider tips on Cologne from fellow travelers.
	Cologne Car Rentals Explore Cologne and anywhere else the road takes you with the freedom of a rental car.

Sacred Sites & Religious Places

	Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom) This is easily the greatest Gothic cathedral in Germany and it has been Cologne's most famous landmark for centuries. Once the tallest building in the world, it still has the largest façade anywhere.
	Cologne Cathedral Treasury A glittering collection of crowns and croziers, plus the original wooden Shrine of the Magi and some ancient Roman artifacts.
	Roman-Germanic Museum A vast collection of Roman artifacts from Cologne and the surrounding area, including the remarkably well-preserved Dionysus Mosaic.
	Romanesque Churches of Cologne Cologne boast no less than 12 lovely and interesting Romanesque churches, their subdued architecture making a pleasant contrast with the soaring Gothic cathedral.
	St. Cecilia Church and Schnütgen Museum Built in 1130-60 as a house for noble canonesses, it later became an Augustinian convent. Today the church shelters the Schnütgen Museum, an excellent collection of medieval religious art.
	St. Gereon Church Built in the 11th and 13th centuries, St. Gereon has an unusual decagonal-shaped nave topped with a great dome. It houses numerous medieval murals, rare Romanesque mosaics, and the tomb of St. Gereon.
	St. Maria im Kapitol Church This is the largest of the Romanesque churches in Cologne. Built over the site of a Roman temple, the plan of the 11th-century church echoes that of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.
	St. Pantaleon Church St. Pantaleon is one of the oldest of the Romanesque churches in Cologne. Dedicated to a Greek martyr and built over the ruins of a Roman villa, the present building dates from the 10th century.