Cologne - Versatile, Cultural and Central Metropolis
The world feels at home in Cologne, Germany´s city where people meet to enjoy a Kölsch. Kölsch is a language, a philosophy of life and also the popular local beer. Life in Cologne is known to be uncomplicated and lively. Tolerance and openness to the world always have been and still are characteristics of the people of Cologne – not only during Carnival, the boisterous „Fifth Season“.
No wonder that Cologne is Germany's number one radio and television city. Here, Communication is written in capital letters. Germany's oldest metropolis is recognized from afar by its landmark, the Cologne Cathedral. Germany's largest cathedral is known for the golden shrine of the Three Magi, an art treasure of immeasurable value.
In the twelve churches built during the Romanesque era, Cologne's golden age, the Middle Ages remains part and parcel of our time.
Next to the Cathedral, you will find the Museum Ludwig and many other museums. The Museum Ludwig is known far beyond the borders of Germany for its art works – from contemporary classics to American Pop Art. Cologne the pre-eminent metropolis on the Rhine takes a leading place in the international art and culture scene.
Easy to reach - your hub Cologne
Thanks to its central location on the Rhine, Cologne is one of the most important traffic junctions in Western Europe. All the leading express trains like the ICE, Thalys/Eurostar, Metropolitan as well as the City-Night-Express, stop here. The motorway network is well-developed and a romantic boat trip on the Rhine beginning and ending in Cologne has been one of the most popular activities of guests in the cathedral city ever since the 19th century. Cologne is, therefore, extremely easy to reach by rail, by road and on the water. Since the end of 2002, as a hub for low-cost carriers, Cologne/Bonn Airport has been playing an increasingly prominent role. The low-cost airlines Germanwings, German BA and Hapag Lloyd Express start from here. With an increase from 5.5 mill. passengers in 2002 to 7.8 mill. in 2003, Cologne Airport registered the best result in its history, an increase of 43 percent. This is largely due to its market leadership in the low-cost area: no less than 4 mill. customers booked low-cost tickets. For the year 2005 the airport is aiming at a total passenger volume of over 10 mill. The latest addition to the low-cost connections from Cologne is EasyJet which now connects Cologne/Bonn Airport with London and Liverpool.
Cologne - Art & Culture
Historic Buildings
The Cathedral of Cologne, designated a world heritage site by the UNESCO, embodies the peak of high-Gothic Cathedral architecture with its 157 meter high spires. It is the tallest Gothic cathedral ever built. The precious relic shrine of the Three Magi, dating back to 1200, surpasses in beauty all comparable gold sarcophagi of the Occident. Like no other city, Cologne can boast of a ring of 12 great Romanesque collegiate churches or monastery churches within the limits of the medieval city walls, a very small area. These churches were built during the heyday of the Middle Ages and are among Western Europe’s most important churches of this period.
Art and Museums
Cologne owes this title "Mayor Art City", in contrast to many other major European cities, not to aristocratic art collectors but above all to the outstanding commitment to art of numerous ordinary citizens. Their collections today form the superb core of various museums, indeed, they were often the reason for founding the museums in the first place. Among the most important museums are the Wallraff-Richartz-Museum, the Museum of Romanesque Art as well as the spectacular Museum Ludwig, built in 1986. The museum houses a world-famous collection ranging from the Classical Modern period to American Pop Art to the latest contemporary trends.
Chocolate Museum
The sweetest aspect of the museums of Cologne is found in the Imhoff-Stollwerk Museum. Visitors can immerse themselves in a world of chocolate on the 4,0000 square meter exhibition area and can obtain information about the cultural history of cocoa and modern chocolate production. And for those who are tempted by the sight of so many delicacies, there is a fairytale chocolate fountain, where they can satisfy their sweet-tooth with warm chocolate.
Music and Theater
The Kölnarena (Cologne Arena), Germany’s largest hall for stage events, sets new standards: 18,000 seats, 83,700 square meters of workfloor space. Not only concerts, shows, events and entertainment take place here, but sports events as well. Also it is used for congresses and other big scaled meetings. Also Cologne stages the public musicfestival Ringfest every year in August, attracting more than one million visitors as well as the Summer Jam Festival on Fühlinger See, the biggest Reagga Festival in Europe. In general Cologne has on of the most lifely music scenes in Germany, festivals like c/o pop proof that. The large, modern Opern- und Schauspielhaus (Opera house and theater) offers a stage program of the highest standard, including classical and romantic operas as well as contemporary works. But there is a vibrant independent theater scene in Cologne as well with stage programme every single night.
Cologne - Events & Festivals
Karneval (Carnival), starting on November 11th, is considered to be the „Fifth Season“ in Cologne. Two million visitors from Germany and around the world visit Cologne during the „Tollen Tage“ (Crazy Days), from 8 „Weiberkarneval“ (women’s carnival) onwards. The highlight of the celebrations is the 5.5 km long „Rosenmontagszug“ (Rose Monday Parade) with its hail of sweets, tattered clowns and imaginative parade floats. When you are in Cologne during Carnival you should not expect to sleep in the evenings since Carnival in the Rhineland and especially in Cologne means 24 hours of non-stop party, indoors and outdoors. And since everyone is dressing up during Carnival do not forget to bring a costume as well.
Every year more than 600,000 people enjoy a unique acoustic experience during over 400 concerts in the Philharmonic Orchestra. In July and August, the Cologne Summer Festival takes place here. Top international productions in the fields of Musicals, Dance and Shows are presented. The Philharmonic Orchestra hall is just a few steps away from Cologne´s beautiful old town with it variety of restaurants, breweries, pubs and bars.
In July gays and lesbians from all over Europe celebrate their „Christopher Street Day“ in Cologne, where tolerance has a long-standing tradition. It’s a funky celebration with a huge parade of about 120 floats and with 1.000,000 onlookers lining the streets. CSD is the gay and lesbian „Karneval“ and became a real party highlight for the non gay community as well. On this occasion people wear magnificent costumes, giving full expression to their imagination. A must if you are into public parties.
The Christmas market period will be upon us this year again, and every year people let themselves be enticed by the radiance of the festively decorated city centres to enjoy the atmosphere while taking a stroll or browsing through the shops. Cologne is prepared to welcome its visitors with a broad range of attractions in the Christmas period. With its attractive Christmas markets, crib exhibitions, Christmas concerts and not least its wide range of shops, the Cathedral city is a popular destination, especially in the pre-Christmas period. Before the impressive backdrop of Cologne’s landmark, the Cathedral Christmas Market awaits visitors with its 160 attractively designed wooden pavilions. Beneath the largest Christmas tree in the Rhineland, you can choose from numerous sweet delicacies, watch artisans at work and enjoy the “Original Christmas mulled wine“ out of the festively decorated Christmas mugs. On the Alter Markt in front of Cologne’s town hall, children in particular, will find their Christmas paradise. Cologne’s oldest Christmas market is held on the Neumarkt, the city centre market in the shopping district. The Christmas Market on the Rudolfplatz takes you to the world of fairy tales. The Medieval Christmas Market next to Cologne’s Chocolate Museum sets an original tone and A floating Christmas market will be set up on board “MS Wappen von Mainz“.
Cologne - Leading Fairs & Conventions right on the Rhine
koelnmesse
With its ambitious aim to increase the quality and quantity of its services even further, Koelnmesse is facing up to tough international competition in the trade fair and conference business. The trade fair company has a gross exhibition space of over 286,000 square meters. Cologne's fairgrounds, who are connected to the high-speed line between Cologne and Frankfurt , are already ranked fourth in the world. In conjunction with the new ICE terminal, the planning of a new entry section in the middle of the exhibition center is already underway. The company is also planning a new administrative building adjacent to the ICE railway station. With this construction project, the fair will be able to concentrate all functions and services under one roof. Koelnmesse exhibition grounds have been designed to meet all the needs of customers, in terms of structure, location, equipment, service and accessibility. Thanks to Cologne’s central location, Koelnmesse is within easy reach for attendees from Germany and abroad no matter whether they’re traveling by car, plane or train.
PHOTOKINA
The market for imaging is full of innovations. It is trend-setting and stands for growth and success. This was shown by photokina 2004 - World of Imaging: Extremly satisfied exhibitors and visitors, very good ordering, international contacts and an excellent media response. At photokina everything is focused at the modern way of imaging-communication, the taking, storaging, processing, transfer and output of the picture. As the only fair worldwide, photokina displays all imaging technologies, imaging media and imaging markets. This results in its absolute competence in imaging, enabling it to be the "Total solution provider" for all interested parties in this market. Experience the imaging market at photokina every two years. You will be welcomed!
ART COLOGNE
This year, everything's new at ART COLOGNE. That's because Germany's leading art fair is leaving the Rhineside Halls and moving into new halls on the Cologne exhibition grounds. That's probably the most fundamental change the world's oldest art fair has experienced since it was founded in 1967. The move to these modern halls will not only provide a new setting for the fair and an enhanced quality of stay for all concerned – it will also enable the organizers to create an exciting and intriguing new constellation of gallery booths and special shows. The number of participants will still be limited to approximately 250 internationally renowned galleries. They will be showing a comprehensive overview of 20th and 21st-century art – from classical modernism to the very latest contemporary works. The primary focus will be on classic works, postwar art and works of contemporary art. An integral part of ART COLOGNE will be "open space", a curated open exhibition area for contemporary art. For 25 years now, an international programme for promoting young artists has been supported by the Federal Commissioner for Cultural and Media Affairs, the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, the city of Cologne and Koelnmesse. The 25th anniversary of this programme, which is a fixed component of the concept behind ART COLOGNE, will be commemorated with a retrospective of its accomplishments.
Anuga
Anuga, the most important trade fair for the world of food & beverages, sets the agenda for the future. All of Germany's key decision-makers come to Anuga. No other fair for food & beverages attracts so many participants from other nations. Exhibitors and visitors from almost every country in the world meet here to conduct cross-border business and make international contacts. Over 6,000 suppliers and 161,000 visitors from 157 countries attended Anuga 2003, with 53 per cent coming from abroad. Anuga presents the latest sector trends. All of the relevant new products and concepts are presented and discussed there. Anuga is open only to trade visitors, and the decision-making authority of these visitors is higher than at any other fair. The trade-fair concept and the supporting programme are designed in line with the products and needs of the food & beverage sector - and thus with those of your company as well. No other trade fair offers so many benefits.
Cologne - Lifestyle & Entertainment
A unique restaurant and nightlife scene of legendary repute has developed in Cologne. The Old Town, Friesenstreet and the Inner Ring Road are just some downtown areas where the nights are danced through in various discos, clubs, bars and restaurants. Popular is the „Alte Wartesaal“ in Cologne’s main railway station. Concerts ranging from rock to classical, antique markets and fashion shows, formal events and press conferences. There’s usually a lot going on in these historic halls. The lively Queen Musical We Will Rock You is on stage six times a week in the Musical Dome on the Rhine with hits by Queen sung live in the huge blue theater tent.
The Senftöpfchen („Little Mustard Pot“) has already been in existence for over 40 years now. This theater of the small great world of cabaret, with its playful and witty lightheartedness opens its „lid“ every evening. The Senftöpfchen has a longstanding reputation for not only presenting famous artists to the public but also enabling as yet unknown up-and-coming talent to achieve an entrance into the world of cabaret. Thus revue-travesty was accepted by the public in Germany after debuting here.
Cologne - Shopping
In 1988, Olivandenhof in Cologne received the European Shopping Center Award for its architectural functionality, the mix of high quality name brands and originality. Behind the Jugendstil facades its architects created a shoppers’ paradise with about 50 stores and bistros on 7,500 square meters shopping area extending over four levels. The giant oval of the interior courtyard, which boasts twelve glass escalators, is covered with a 30 meter glass cupola.
Hohe Strasse, which lets you trace the course of a Roman main street, the „cardo maximus“, gives the city its character to this day. Established 50 years ago, it is one of the first pedestrian zones in Germany and Cologne’s most lively shopping promenade.
Tax Free Shopping becomes more and more popular in Cologne´s shopping areas. This enables visitors from outside the European Union to claim back the value added tax when they live Germany. In Cologne the tax can be claimed bach easily at offices located right in the train station as well as in the airport. The number of shops participating is growing - so shopping in Cologne becomes even more attractive.
Cologne - Culinary
Kölsch is Cologne’s famous smooth top fermented beer, which is brewed in many of the traditional breweries of the town. Served in the special Kölsch glasses named "Kölner Stange" it is enjoyed by visitors and residents alike. A visit to one of the local breweries certainly should be on your "to do list" during your stay in Cologne.
One popular item on the menu is Halve Hahn, also called „Röggelchen mit Kies“ in the Kölsch dialect. It is a rye roll covered with a thick slice of aged Dutch cheese. If this does not seem to be sufficiently Kölsch, try the Kölsch Kaviar, this being a rye-roll with blood sausage smothered in onion rings.
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