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Photo: Roland Unger, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
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.
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.
Old town between Rhine, Heumarkt, Alter Markt and Dom, (Cologne Cathedral).
Roman-Germanic Museum
Römisch-Germanisches Museum explores the history of Roman history in Cologne and the surrounding area. The permanent exhibition is now located in the Belgian House (Cäcilienstraße 46, near Neumarkt). The exhibits of the Dionysos mosaic and Poblicius tomb are closed as of May 2022.
The Wallraf-Richartz Museum is an art gallery with a collection of fine art from the medieval period through to the early 20th century.
A museum of modern art, near the central railway station and the Cathedral hosts a worthy regular exhibition and temporary exhibitions.