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Photo: Hans Peter Schaefer Url: http://www.reserv-a-rt.de, saturation by User:elya, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
A landmark Romanesque basilica in the Old Town, characterized by its distinctive trefoil choir and soaring crossing tower. It was founded around 960 AD as a Benedictine monastery. The current structure dates to the 12th and 13th centuries. Sightseeing is limited to times outside of religious services; information regarding public guided tours and group visits can be found on the official website.
The Great Saint Martin Church is a Romanesque Catholic church in Cologne, Germany. Its foundations rest on remnants of a Roman chapel, built on what was then an island in the Rhine. The church was later transformed into a Benedictine monastery. The current buildings, including a soaring crossing tower that is a landmark of Cologne's Old Town, were erected between 1150–1250. The architecture of its eastern end forms a triconch or trefoil plan, consisting of three apses around the crossing, similar to that at St. Maria im Kapitol. The church was badly damaged in World War II; restoration work was completed in 1985.
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Old town between Rhine, Heumarkt, Alter Markt and Dom, (Cologne Cathedral).
Historic Town Hall/Cologne City Hall
The Cologne City Hall is Germany’s oldest functioning municipal building, with origins dating back to the 12th century. The complex is defined by the 15th-century Gothic tower, which served as a symbol of the city's guilds, and the 16th-century Renaissance "Laube," a loggia representing the civic pride of Cologne's citizens. Notable features include the "Platz-Jabbeck," a carved wooden figure on the tower that sticks out its tongue when the clock strikes, and the restored Hansa Hall, once the meeting place of the Hanseatic League. The central Piazzetta connects the historic wings with modern architectural elements, reflecting both the city’s medieval heritage and its post-war reconstruction.
The Praetorium served as the administrative headquarters of the Roman governor in Cologne, then the capital of the province of Germania Inferior. As one of the most significant Roman palaces along the Rhine, it functioned as the political and administrative center of the region for centuries. Today, visitors can explore the excavated foundations of this multi-phase structure, with the 4th-century monumental palace remains being the most prominent. The site reveals a sophisticated layout, including a central octagonal room, flanking halls, and a riverside porticus, alongside impressive archaeological finds such as remnants of marble wall cladding, mosaics, and large-scale sculptures.
Central concert hall, opened in 1986. Main season September to June. Special summer shows.
The Wallraf-Richartz Museum is an art gallery with a collection of fine art from the medieval period through to the early 20th century.
Traditional Thai massage institute, in the city centre. Thai native massage therapists practise in the 160-m² Thai-styled studio: original royal massage, aroma oil massage and foot massage. This place does not offer any erotic massages.