Noteable Metro Stations:
Appelehofplatz/Breitestrasse
– Lines 3, 4, 16, 18
Neumarkt
– Lines 1, 3, 4, 7, 9, 16, 18
Rudolfplatz
– Lines 1, 7, 12, 15
Dom/Hbf
– Lines 5, 16, 18
I don't have all that much to say about the city centre in Cologne.
Partly for the reason that it is filled with, mostly, exactly the
same shops as any European city centre, partly because I've never
really been one for shopping.
Hohe Strasse -
Schildergasse
If shopping is your … erm … bag, then you should start off on
Hohe Strasse (Dom/Hbf), a rather cramped, ugly little street near the
Cathedral. Partly due to the nature of the shops here (there are
about three “H & M”s), and partly because it double up as a
handy thoroughfare, Hohe Strasse gets very
busy and is probably best avoided on a Saturday.
left-hand photo courtesy of marriott.com; right hand photo courtesy of koeln.de
This route does expand as you near the second street of note – the
rather more modern and appealing Schildergasse, which stretches as
far as Neumarkt and, as well as the usual favourites, does have some
welcome additions. One of these being “The English Shop”, tucked
away down a side street. It sounds like a ridiculous point of
interest for a British visitor to the city, but it really is
invaluable for providing all of those foodstuffs that you'll be
surprised you miss (for me, it was HobNobs), and it is a great place
to shop for “traditional English” gifts for any Germans that you
might meet as a cultural exchange, or expression of gratitude for
services provided/sofas slept on.
Be warned though, whilst more spacious, Schildergasse, too, can
become hideously busy at peak times. According to the minimal
research conducted for this guide, it is actually the busiest high
street in Europe! Which makes it all the more eeyrie on a Sunday
when the shops are closed and there is not a soul about.
Breite
Strasse/Ehrenstrasse
My own personal trek through the
city centre, though, would have me setting off from
Appelhofplatz/Breite Strasse and taking a leisurely stroll to
Rudolfplatz via Breitestrasse and Ehrenstrasse. In my opinion, this
area of the city centre is far more diverse and has something to
offer almost anyone. It isn't as plagued by the usual high-street
culprits, so visiting a boutique there might mean that you actually
witness something new
for a change, whether that be tasteless knick-knacks, vintage
clothing, household items, fabrics, books or sex toys.
The area also offers a lot of choice in the way of refreshments.
There are traditional pubs, chic bistros, budget bakeries, trendy
restaurants and charming cafes. A personal favourite of mine is the
cafe in the Opern Passagen on Breite Strasse. Try the cake – it's
fancy.
NS-Dokumentationszentrum
Appelehofplatz/Breitestrasse – Lines 3, 4, 16, 18
If you've come into
town with friends, but shopping doesn't interest you at all, then
leave your friends to wander of window licking whilst you stop off at
the NS-Dokumentationszentrum at Appelhofplatz 23-25 (that's the
National Socialist (Nazi) documentation centre to you). This former
Gestapo headquarters has been transformed into a museum; a
representation of life in Cologne during the Second World War.
As a former Gestapo base, the building was used, in the early days of the war, to house politically subversive prisoners. Some painstaking restoration has removed the layers of plaster hurriedly applied to the tiny cells to reveal graffiti and etchings made by those incarcerated. It really is an eye-opener. You will also learn plenty about the fate of Jews and “genetically imperfect” peoples during the war, in general, with many case studies to be viewed, along with enormous prints of photographs of Cologne taken during the war. These photos will show Cologne as you've never seen it before and, hopefully, never will again. The NS-DZ is a fantastic legacy and a wonderful memorial to all those who died. Let's hope that by remembering and honouring, future monstrosities on this scale can be avoided.
As a former Gestapo base, the building was used, in the early days of the war, to house politically subversive prisoners. Some painstaking restoration has removed the layers of plaster hurriedly applied to the tiny cells to reveal graffiti and etchings made by those incarcerated. It really is an eye-opener. You will also learn plenty about the fate of Jews and “genetically imperfect” peoples during the war, in general, with many case studies to be viewed, along with enormous prints of photographs of Cologne taken during the war. These photos will show Cologne as you've never seen it before and, hopefully, never will again. The NS-DZ is a fantastic legacy and a wonderful memorial to all those who died. Let's hope that by remembering and honouring, future monstrosities on this scale can be avoided.
CITY CENTRE
CITY-WIDE EVENTS
CITY-WIDE EVENTS
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