Tourists from around the world are attracted by one of the oldest cities in Germany - Cologne, whose sights are represented by churches, temples and other architectural, historical and cultural monuments from different eras.
What to see in Cologne?
Museum of chocolate in Cologne
The museum was opened in 1993 near the chocolate factory Stolwerk. Here you can see artistic works of chocolate, get to know the technology of chocolate production. Children will especially like the opportunity to taste different types of chocolate. On the day, factory workers produce 400 kg of chocolate.
The building itself is also interesting, which is built in the form of a ship made of metal and glass.
Particular attention deserves a chocolate fountain, whose height is about three meters.
The museum is open to visitors every day from 10.00 to 18.00, entrance fee is 10 dollars.
Ludwig Museum in Cologne
One of the largest museums in the world is the Ludwig Museum. Here you can find several thousand paintings of different directions - surrealism, avant-garde, expressionism, pop art.
Also here there is an exposition of photographs, reflecting the history of the development of photo art over the past 150 years.
Cologne (Dom) Cathedral in Cologne
The cathedral in Cologne was built in the 13th century, when the architecture was dominated by the Gothic style. It was laid one of the towers and built the eastern walls of the choir, but then for almost 500 years the building was frozen. The work was resumed only in 1824, when Romanticism replaced gothic. By a lucky chance, a drawing with the original calculations was preserved, according to which the cathedral was continued to be erected. By 1880 it was completely built.
The height of the Cologne Cathedral is 157 meters. For four years after the completion of construction, it remained the tallest building in the world.
Many Cologne archbishops are buried in the cathedral.
The most important values of the cathedral are the Milan Madonna and the Cross of Hero.
The cathedral can be visited any day. The entrance to its territory is free.
Cologne Zoo
The zoo was founded in 1860 and occupied at that time about five hectares. Now its area has expanded and is about 20 hectares. Since the buildings of the zoo were built at different times, they reflect different architectural styles that dominate at one time or another.
During the war, most of the buildings were destroyed. Restoration and reconstruction of the zoo took more than a dozen years. Here you will not see the usual grids and thick panes that separate animals from visitors.
Despite the fact that the zoo specializes in primates, you can see Indian rhinoceroses, Siberian tigers, tree kangaroos and red pandas.
Of particular interest to tourists is a detached building - the Tropical House. Landscape designers and architects have tried to recreate here the appearance of this tropical jungle.
Cologne City Hall
The town hall was erected in the 14th century in the spirit of the Renaissance. In the 16th century, they built the Lion's Court. During the Second World War, she was seriously injured, but eventually was completely restored.
From the famous tower of the Town Hall, the bells ringing are heard, which is heard a few kilometers from it. The tower itself is decorated with 124 figures of characters in city history.
Since 1823, city residents and tourists can visit the Cologne Carnival. It opens in "Babiy Thursday", which every year is appointed on different days. But it is necessary in February. On the streets of the city people come out in fancy dress: pea fools, witches, movie characters and fairy-tale characters.
If you have a tourist trip or a shopping tour and you have issued a visa to Germany , then do not forget to visit the ancient German city of Cologne, which is rightfully the cultural center of the country.