Cologne Things to Do

The Kallendresser vom Alder Markt, a figure of fun who would do his "business" in the Regenrinne (Kalle) with his exposed behind hanging from the Haus zur Sonne. This house was located at the perimeter of the neutral territory... more

The most famous writer to have come from the city is Heinrich Böll (1917-1985), who won the Nobel Prize for Literature. His frequently sardonic and critical view of the world around him earned him friends as well as enemies in... more

The narrow medieval houses between the Hohenzollern Bridge and the Severins Bridge were once the trading center of the city. Where craftsmen and merchants, since approximately the 10th Century, displayed and offered their wares... more

The Kaiser Wilhelm Ring begins at the Christophstraße / Mediapark stop and runs towards Hansaring. The best section is about 100 metres, which the Bürgersteig makes into a little pedestrian zone. It is bordered on one side by d... more

From the beginning of the 17th century, Johann Maria Farina produced sweet-scented perfumes which were given the name of Eau de Cologne by French soldiers in the Seven Years War. Only in the 19th century did 4711 become a succe... more

Designed by Canadian architect Eberhard Zeidler, the Mediapark was inspired by the town hall square in Siena. Seven-storey blocks form a semicircle around the square, which borders on an artificial lake. For years, the city has... more

The ten metre high monolith made from Portuguese granite rises up above the Roncalliplatz in front of the Kölner Dom alone. The column was a gift to the city of Cologne from Lions Club in 1984 and was designed and erected by th... more

The Optical Telegraph Station in Flittard was restored in 1973 and is one of the last stations of the Royal Prussian Government of 1832. The Prussian Optical Telegraph network started from the observatory in Berlin and came to... more

The Eisenmarket or Iron market constructed in 1935, is a replica of the original market that once stood there in the 13th century. Where in those days the Ironmongers sold their wares. Since 1938, it has been the home of the Hä... more

Perhaps the most famous Cologne figures are Tünnes and Schäl. They never actually existed, but were invented by Johann Christoph Winter (1772-1862), the owner of a puppet theatre. The good-natured but dim Tünnes is constantly b... more