Cologne Germany

Cologne is an amazingly vivacious city that revives the soul.  Cologne is Germany’s fourth-largest city and a major cultural mecca, yet it hasn’t lost any of its old world charm.  Cologne lays claim to with over thirty museums and one hundred galleries; however, the city has over a 2000 year history as a very important Roman city. 

 My Petty Officer and I started with a walk across the railroad bridge and to our delight we were met with a picturesque view of the Rhine River and Cologne Cathedral. The city’s famous Cologne Cathedral is the most visited attraction in the entire country of Germany.  The essence of the cathedral is its gothic architecture and its massive size is highlighted with two soaring towers that dominate the skyline. The cathedral also houses the famous shrine of the Shrine of the Three Magi. It is inhibited with 11, 500 identically sized stained glass windows.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The blend of the old and new is evident in the numerous statues in the square depicting the history, yet the trendy shops project the relevance of a city that is alive and moving.  The boutiques, department stores and high end designers truly offered something for everyone. I managed to restrain myself because I didn’t want to torture my Petty Officer with endless hours of shopping when we only had half a day to explore.

Cologne is buzzing with all kinds of things to do and my biggest regret is that the chocolate museum was closed and I was making this gorgeous trip without my sweet Luke because Cologne is truly a city of love. On first glance of the massive Hohenzollerbrucke railway bridge, also known as the bridge of love locks one wouldn’t expect a city of romance, but the bridge is not just any bridge padlocks span the bridge with the names of their lovers placed on them before the key is thrown into the Rhine symbolizing undying love.

 Most museums are closed on Mondays in Germany. Cologne is a two hour tour from Sembach, well worth the time that I would do all over again, but I wouldn’t go on Monday in order to participate in all of the exciting attractions the city has to offer.