10 Iconic Buildings and Places in Cologne

Cologne Cathedral is the city’s most famous landmark and one of the most visited sites in Germany. Construction of the Gothic church started in 1248 and took more than 600 years to finish. As the tallest twin-spired church in the world, it’s hard not to spot the imposing cathedral in the city’s skyline.

For unparalleled views across the city, climb to the top of one of the towers. While the church’s exterior is impressive, you shouldn’t miss viewing the treasures and relics on display inside. Millions of people flock each year to The Shrine of the Three Kings, which is believed to hold the bones of the 3 wise men who visited baby Jesus.

Hohenzollern Bridge is a 409-metre-long, tiered-arch bridge that crosses the Rhine River near Cologne’s Old Town. It was built between 1907 and 1911 as a railroad bridge. The Germans destroyed the bridge during World War II to prevent the Allies from crossing the Rhine. Today, with 6 tracks, Hohenzollern is the busiest railroad bridge in Germany – over 1,200 trains pass daily!

The best way to experience this iconic place is by walking or cycling along the designated paths on either side of the bridge. There’s a viewing platform on the eastern end where you’re treated to breathtaking views of the Great St Martin Church, the towers of Cologne Cathedral, and one of Europe’s greatest rivers.

The Old Market (Alter Markt) has been the heart and soul of Cologne’s Old Town for centuries. Surrounded by colorful buildings, restaurants, cafes and bars, the historic square is popular for people-watching and relaxing with an ice-cold German beer.

During the end-of-year festivities, Alter Markt hosts a famous Christmas Market. The entire square fills with stalls selling festive decorations, food, and gifts. However, for a unique Cologne experience, plan your visit to coincide with the city’s Carnival, which begins in Alter Markt at 11.11 am on the 11th day of the 11th month. The entire town goes crazy, with locals flooding the streets dressed in the wackiest costumes.

Cologne City Hall (Rathaus), which lies between the Rathausplatz and Alter Markt squares, is a working town hall built over 900 years ago. On a stroll through Cologne's historic center, you're bound to pass this beautiful landmark with its fascinating combination of architectural styles.

The site features the 14th-century main building, a 15th-century Gothic-era tower decorated with more than 120 sculptures, and the stunning 16th-century Renaissance façade called the loggia. For an amusing sight, stand beneath the Gothic-style tower on the hour. When the town clock strikes, the famous Platzjabbeck, a wooden grotesque face sculpture, opens its mouth and sticks out its tongue.

Great St Martin, along with the Cologne Cathedral and Town Hall, has been part of Cologne’s Old Town skyline since the Middle Ages. The church was built between 1150 and 1250 and is considered the most beautiful of Cologne’s 12 Romanesque churches. During World War II, several parts of the church were burnt to the ground. Fortunately, it has since been restored.

After admiring the imposing façade, with a trefoil arch and lofty crossing tower, head inside to explore the sparse yet impressive interior with several beautiful icons and wood-carved statues. It’s worth going downstairs to the basement to see the ancient Roman foundations on which the church was built.

St Maria im Kapitol is a majestic church tucked between houses in Altstadt-Süd, Old Town south in Cologne. The church was built in the 11th century over the remains of the ancient Roman Capitoline Temple. Be sure to explore the adjacent cloisters, with a peaceful garden. 

Look out for several historical art treasures inside the church. These include the 1,000-year-old richly carved wooden doors, late Gothic stained-glass windows, a 14th-century plague crucifix, 13th-century Virgin on a Throne, and a spectacular Renaissance rood screen. 

Roonstrasse Synagogue dates to 1899 and is the only remaining of Cologne's 5 synagogues that existed pre-World War II. The Nazis burned all synagogues during Kristallnacht or the "Night of Broken Glass". Since Roonstrasse was the only synagogue not entirely destroyed, it was rebuilt by the surviving Jewish community in the 1950s. 

Today, the neo-Romanesque place of worship hosts a community center, kosher restaurant, and a permanent exhibition that tells the history of Cologne's Jewish community. For a peek inside, you'll need to book a guided tour. However, the building's exterior, with 3 arched portals and a sizeable gabled façade and a stunning rose window, is alone worth a visit.

At WDR Arcades, you can’t help but spot, stop and stare on your stroll through Cologne’s historic Old Town. The glistening steel and glass shopping mall was built in the 1980s and is in stark contrast to the old medieval stone buildings and churches surrounding it.

The cutting-edge architectural design was the brainchild of renowned German architect Gottfried Böhm, with collaboration from his wife, Elizabeth. Inside the building, you can find a handful of shops and restaurants.

Cologne Central Mosque is a beautiful religious building in Ehrenfeld, a district located only a few minutes northwest of Cologne’s historic center. The mosque was designed and built by famous German architect Gottfried Böhm and his son Paul Böhm in 2009. At 4,500 meters squared, with space to accommodate 1,200 worshipers, the mosque is the largest in Germany and one of the largest mosques in Europe.

This massive mosque is unique because it combines typical European-style architecture and Ottoman-era mosque architecture. The result is a gorgeous building featuring large neighborhoods of shiny glass and concrete. Two 55-metre-tall minarets flank the mosque.

Ludwig Museum lies between the Rhine and Cologne Cathedral. The modern art museum was founded in 1976 and features an elegant architectural design that includes wave-like rows of brick façades with zinc-clad shed roofs. Even more impressive than the exterior is the extensive collection of 20th- and 21st-century art on display, many of which were donated by the museum’s founders, Peter and Irene Lud­wig.

The permanent collection features the 3rd-largest Picasso collection in the world and superb works from the Russian avant-garde movement. You can also find extensive collections of American Pop Art, German Expressionism, and the history of photography.