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Dec 22, 2017 · Nationwide, Cologne’s locals are known for their liberal, tolerant and life-affirming attitude which does not only show during the Carnival celebrations, but also when the gay pride festival rolls on in July.
- Cologne Cathedral
A sublime example of gothic architecture, The Cologne...
- 11 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting
And the general liberal, tolerant, and life-affirming...
- Cologne Cathedral
And the general liberal, tolerant, and life-affirming attitude bursts out of locals on the first weekend of July when the Christopher Street Day, or gay pride parade rolls through the city. Cologne embraces the loud, colourful procession, and has been secretly known to be Germany’s LGBT capital for decades.
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Cologne, fourth largest city in Germany and largest city of the Land (state) of North Rhine–Westphalia. One of the key inland ports of Europe, it is the historic, cultural, and economic capital of the Rhineland.
Cologne’s commercial importance grew out of its position at the point where the huge traffic artery of the Rhine (German: Rhein) River intersected one of the major land routes for trade between western and eastern Europe. In the Middle Ages it also became an ecclesiastical centre of significance and an important centre of art and learning. This rich and varied heritage is still much in evidence in present-day Cologne, despite the almost complete destruction of the Inner City (Innenstadt) during World War II. Cologne is the seat of a university and the see of a Roman Catholic archbishop. Its cathedral, the largest Gothic church in northern Europe, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996; it is the city’s major landmark and unofficial symbol. Area 156 square miles (405 square km). Pop. (2011) 1,005,775; (2021 est.) 1,073,096.
Cologne is situated about 21 miles (34 km) northwest of Bonn and 25 miles (40 km) southeast of Düsseldorf. It lies 210 feet (65 metres) above sea level, just below where the Rhine enters the fertile North German Plain. The river at this point is navigable to seagoing vessels. The immediate surroundings of Cologne are varied. The picturesque hills of the Bergisches Land lie to the east, while on the west is another group of hills forming a chain called the Ville. The North German Plain stretches away to the north and northwest, and the Rhine Valley winds to the southeast toward Bonn.
The greatest distance across the city from west to east is about 17 miles (27 km) and from north to south about the same. There are 85 districts, divided into nine Bezirke (city areas). Most of the city lies on the left (west) bank of the river, but it also incorporates a cluster of suburbs on the right bank, some of which were annexed in 1975. The climate of the region is temperate but humid. Average temperatures in the Cologne area are 36 °F (2 °C) in January and 64 °F (18 °C) in July.
The semicircular shape of the Inner City was originally determined by a defensive wall, 4 miles (6 km) long, that was completed in about 1200. The wall enclosed several formerly separate parishes and afforded protection for some 35,000 to 40,000 people. (At that time Cologne was bigger than Paris.) The flat side of the semicircle was formed by the Rhine. In the 1880s the medieval fortifications were demolished and replaced by a chain of ring roads, called the Ringstrassen.
Although Cologne has spread far beyond the confines of the Ringstrassen, its focal point is still within this area, the Inner City. There are found the main shopping and business streets—such as the Hohe Strasse (north-south) and Schildergasse (west-east), both of which have been closed to motor vehicles—as well as the city’s historic buildings. Several bridges span the river at Cologne; five of them were rebuilt after World War II, and the rest were postwar additions.
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Nov 7, 2021 · A study has revealed the most liberal cities in the world - and Germany has managed to land itself two spots in the top 10. Both Berlin and Cologne have been praised for their liberal openness and support for the LGBTQI+ community.
- It took 632 years to build the Cologne Cathedral. It’s the third-tallest cathedral in the world.
- People of Cologne and nearby have their own language. They call it Kölsch. During carnival time it even appears on nationwide broadcasts.
- Cologne has 31 museums.
- Cologne has 22 nature reserves, and 15% of its territory is covered in forests.
Jan 30, 2016 · As the city’s traditionally liberal identity is challenged, we meet those on the right who stand to gain. Cologne has traditionally been considered an unwelcoming place for the far right, but...
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Oct 10, 2024 · As the fourth-largest city in Germany, Köln magnetizes visitors from all around the world with its charm, history, and warm hospitality. In this article, we will delve into 35 fascinating facts about Köln, from its Roman origins to its bustling Carnival celebrations and everything in between.
