Cologne

Cologne
Experience the vivacity of the region where people find every reason a reason to celebrate. People pf cologne love their city a lot, as youll explore when you plunk down on any nearest barstool. Cologne is a wonderful place to wander about, from eclectic museums to the grassy parks.

The region is full of cultural history, activities and atmosphere and a lot more for everyone. The world feels at home in Cologne, where people meet for a chat or simply a laugh. Life in Cologne is easy and vivacious. Its hard to imagine an area in Germany with a wide variety of attractions than Cologne.

Cologne is Germanys fourth-largest city after Berlin, Hamburg and Munich, and lies near the River Rhine. Romans founded the city in the year 38 BC which was granted the status of Roman City in 50 AD. As of German official statistics, Cologne is the largest city both in the German Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia and within the Rhine-Ruhr Metropolitan Area.

The city is a major cultural centre of the Rhineland and has a mesmerizing arts scene. It houses top-notch hundreds of Galleries and more than 30 museums. Exhibitions stretch from local indigenous old Roman archaeological sites to modern graphics and sculpture. Colognes Trade Fair Grounds are host to a wide array of trade shows such as the International Furniture Fair (IMM), Art Cologne Fair, and the Photokina.

Cologne is also characterized distinctly for LGBT Christopher Street Day (CSD) and the celebration of Cologne Carnival. It is by far a city where the cathedral spires stand out Germanys ancient city and its immeasurable cultural and historical treasures, active art scene and world-known museums.

Cologne anchors the Cologne Comedy Festival, which is regarded as the largest comedy festival celebrated in mainland Europe. Moreover, the city also hosted the 20th Roman Catholic World Youth Day with Pope Bendict (XVI) in 2005. The city is also home to the University of Cologne which is one of Europes oldest universities.

Art & Culture
Cologne has rich cultural roots and is characterized mainly for its beer, called K?lsch. K?lsch is also the name of the local dialect which has led to the common joke that K?lsch is the only language you can drink. The city gathers a huge fame and came to the mainstream having introduced Eau de Cologne in the market.

The fragrance of Eau de cologne was primarily created by an Italian expatriate Johann Maria Farina at the turn of the eighteenth century. He named the fragrance after his hometown Cologne, Eau de Cologne which means Water of Cologne. In the course of the 18th century the fragrance became world wide popular.

As of cultural history, Cologne has top-class museums that add to the citys reputation as a cultural metropolis. If youre interested in knowing about the history, glory and downfall of nations, make a one-day trip to explore museums in the region. Museums here offer you much beside the history to enjoy in unparalleled variety.

For those who have an aptitude for modern art, they will find everything from the classical modern to expressionism and Russian ultra-modernism. In addition to it, splendid works by Picasso, American pop artists and the latest contemporary trends are on a display at the internationally renowned Ludwig Museum.

Carnival
Cologne is increasingly gaining a reputation as a city of events. Theres happening in the city all year round. Experience the exuberant goings-on during the fifth season and explore how attractive Rhenish cheerfulness can be. One of the biggest street festivals in Europe is the Cologne carnival which is held annually.

The fifth season sets in officially on 11 November at 11 minutes past 11 with the proclamation of the new Carnival Season. Not before Weiberfastnacht or womens carnival begins the so-called Tollen Tage. During this time thousands of people flock to the happening city of cologne.

Attractions
Todays Cologne is a vibrant amalgam of the old and the new, the cosmopolitan and the provincial and is precisely this diversity that turns the city to so unique. First and foremost, however, the city is considered as a city of culture.

Cologne Cathedral is a true evident of it. The Cathedral is one of the architectural masterpieces in Germany which is also declared a World Cultural Heritage Site.

Cologne cathedral is the symbol of the Rhenish city and is a perfect example of Gothic construction. It grabs about seven million visitors each year and thus has become Germanys largest cathedral as well as the countrys most popular architectural monument.

Also of interest is the Rhenish panorama of Colognes picturesque Old Town. The Old Town is world-famous and is known for cobbled alleyways and medieval town houses. Come and explore the majestic scale of cologne, making it truly a marvelous spectacle and is indeed always worth a visit!