Page 524 - Lonely Planet Europe’s Best Trips (Travel Guide)

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Kölner Dom
Cologne’s geographical and spiritual
heart – and its single-biggest tourist
draw – is the magnificent Kölner Dom
(Cologne Cathedral; %0211-1794 0200; www.
STRETCH koelner-dom.de; tower adult/concession €4/2;
h6am-9pm May-Oct, to 7.30pm Nov-Apr, tower
YOUR LEGS 9am-6pm May-Sep, to 5pm Mar-Apr & Oct, to 4pm
Nov-Feb), with its soaring twin spires, art
COLOGNE and treasures. Climb the 533 steps up
its south tower to the base of the steeple
that dwarfed all European buildings until
Eiffel built a certain tower in Paris. The
underground Domforum visitor centre is
a good source of info and tickets.
The Walk » There are large parking facilities
Start/Finish: Kölner Dom around the Dom and the neighbouring
Hauptbahnhof (just follow the signs). Then, after
Distance: 2km Kölner Dom, walk south across the Roncalliplatz
to Am Hof, turn east then go south again on
Bechergasse to the large, open Rathausplatz.
Duration: Three hours
Altes Rathaus
Dating to the 15th century and much
restored, the old city hall (Rathausplatz;
Cologne’s history is everywhere, h8am-4pm Mon, Wed & Thu, to 6pm Tue) has
as you’ll see on this walk, which fine bells that ring daily at noon and
5pm. The Gothic tower is festooned with
circles through the heart of the statues of old city notables.
bustling city. You can view Roman The Walk » Walk to the west side of the Rathaus.
or medieval ruins, and you’ll always Archäologische Zone
be near somewhere to pause for Cologne used the construction of the U-
refreshments. Bahn line to also build this grand Future
Jüdisches Museum (Archaeological Zone/
Jewish Museum; %0221-2213 3422; Kleine Buden-
gasse 2; adult/concession €3.50/3; h10am-5pm
Tue-Sun) under the Rathausplatz. At the
deepest level is the Praetorium, with
relics of a Roman governor’s palace. One
level up are relics from the Middle Ages
Jewish community.
The Walk » Cross the Marsplatz on the south
side of the square to the museum.
Wallraf-Richartz-Museum
A famous collection of European paint-
Take this walk on Trips ings from the 13th to the 19th centuries,
the Wallraf-Richartz-Museum (%0221-2212
y 1119; www.wallraf.museum; Obenmarspforten;
adult/concession €8/4.50; h10am-6pm Tue, Wed
& Fri-Sun, to 9pm Thu) occupies a postmodern
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