Cologne is a nice city with a beautiful skyline. While I have been to many Cathedrals the one here is spectacular! The spires tower over the city and inside it is cavernous. The relics of the 3 Maji are draw for pilgrims but there is so much history. The church was damaged during the war as it sits directly next to the main train station but the spires stood amid the rubble. I was able to visit the church first thing after checking into hotel few blocks away.
I was also moved by another much smaller historical site. Across Germany as part of coming to grips with their history are placed small bronze plaques in front of residential addresses with the names of those who were removed and killed during WWII; these are mainly Jews but some others too. They are set into the sidewalks and replace cobblestones or bricks so very permanent. They are small about 4x4. There are 2 very near my hotel that I walk by on way to and from station. A good reminder. I do wonder what it is like for those who live there now to see each day as they had no part in what happened but it marks their residence. Could you imagine plaques right in front of homes that said "slave owner "?? ...interesting...
I also walked down to the river bank and took a short cruise on the Rhine River which was lively on a hot sunny day and provided awesome views of the skyline. So that makes 3 river cruises (Danube, Spree, Rhine and Amsterdam canals). Then I walked to the Chocolate Museum which was great fun and had dessert at their cafe. To top it iff I enjoyed the local Wine & Gourmet Food Fair!
Long walk back to hotel but meandered thru old town.
Next day up early for a day trip to Aachen to see Charlemagne's Cathedral.
The cathedral is GORGEOUS!! Not as imposing outside but so beautiful inside. I had hopped on an earlier train so I arrived before most tourists. Now you can self guide around inside but do not see as much and they only have 1 English language tour but 5 hours later! So I went on a German tour and they gave me an English written guide lol. But oh man we went into the choir with tombs and reliquaries and the upstairs throne room. This allowed great photo ops and since I could only understand about 1/4 of guide I could take lots of photos! I also toured the magnificent treasury which almost rivals the one in Vienna. Lots of Catholic reliquaries which are a little freaky but interesting which includes a piece of Charlemagne's skull. In the church the reliquaries include Charlemagne's remains as well as the cloak of Mary and Jesus loincloth held in magnificent golden decorated boxes. The old town hall provides a nice public area. A little lunch in the beautiful square then hop train back to Cologne.
Most museums are closed on Mondays but some nice places to walk around.
I did return to Cologne and take a walk around! I checked out a few museums and walked through old town. I also walked out on the famous railroad bridge across the Rhine that has a pedestrian path as well. This affords some of the best views of Cologne and the bridge has its own unique character. All along the bridge on the fence separating the pedestrian path from the train is a fence which is covered with locks. The locks are popular in many European cities as couples place these locks which are often inscribed with their names and dates, as a sign of their true love. It is fascinating and fun to just walk and look at the thousands and thousands of locks. I have read that in a few cities on smaller, older bridges they have had to remove the locks because of the added weight to the bridge which puts them in structural danger. This train bridge is massive so not sure if it is affected.
I ended my last evening in Cologne with dinner at a great little restaurant very near my hotel which is in a lovely residential district with a great open square that is centered around one of the original medieval gate towers into the city. Great place to people watch and enjoy the diversity of Germany today. The waitstaff was so nice and fun and the wiener schnitzel and house wine was really good. One strange happening was that 2 police trucks showed up and parked and the police just got out and walked around while a local street band played big band music. I asked if this was normal and was told that it was a day that the police had just decided to be visible and mingle with the community. I must say they were all cuties too! And very nice. A busy day filled with so many different sites!
