Modern Cologne

Overview
Sightseeing

The Cathedral and the Romanesque churches - how could it be otherwise in Cologne - dominate the skyline as they have since time immemorial.

But the process of change is apparent: leading architects have set new highlights - cautiously, with respect for the unmistakable historic face of the city. Anyone who approaches the city from the right bank will recognize, especially here, how the architecture uses old forms and adapts them to new requirements. The shed roofs of the new museum complex in the highly sensitive vicinity of the Cathedral, formally pick up the Gothic arches of the Cathedral stays and at the same time ensure adequate light in the interior of the exhibition rooms. Luxurious but discreet residential architecture around the church of Gross St. Martin in the Old Town creates a square full of tranquillity and intimacy. On the Heumarkt, the Maritim Hotel impresses with its spectacular light-flooded foyer. The tip of the Rheinauhafen (port) is now adorned by the Chocolate Museum, like the transparent bow of a ship, with its magnificent panoramic view of the Rhine. And on the other side of the Rhine in Deutz, right alongside the Exhibition Centre, the huge Kölnarena beneath its imposing 76-metre high steel arc which bears the roof of Germany's largest and most modern indoor event venue, together with the glass front of the City of Cologne's new technical town hall, set new accents on the skyline.
Urbane centres on the Neumarkt are the Josef-Haubrich-Forum with its medical centre and facing it on the north side, three extensive covered shopping malls - the longest in Germany. In over 100,000 sq.m., visitors can stroll without getting their feet wet between specialist stores, boutiques, department stores or gourmet bistros. On the Rudolfplatz, the Stadtsparkasse (savings bank) presents the sweeping lines of its glazed headquarters. And Cologne's inner ring road is slowly regaining its big city boulevard character - after extensive war damage.
Close to the Hansaring, the MediaPark is steadily being developed, an ultra-modern city district on the site of the former rail goods terminal. The bold architecture of the Cinedom multiplex cinema, the Jean Nouvel tower and other new buildings provide a harmonious setting for German and international companies in the communication and entertainment business.

Sales Guide Cologne:

Architecture