Alter Markt (Old Market), Cologne
The Old Market was once connected to the Hay Market. Today the square bearing its name has several Renaissance buildings, an attractive fountain, and a Christmas Market.
The Old Market square has hosted markets and a residential area since at least 922. The oldest original structure in the square dates to 1580. Many other historic houses and buildings were destroyed during World War II bombing attacks.
The 1371 Cologne Weaver Uprising took place in Old Market and Hay Market. The weavers guild and the city council continuously disagreed, and the conflict turned bloody. The city council had more manpower, however, and the weavers were arrested or forced to leave the city.
The iconic fountain features a statue of Jan von Werth completed in 1884. The legend behind the statue tells of a young girl Griet who rejected Jan, a poor peasant. Griet wanted a wealthier husband. Devastated by her rejection, Jan left to fight in the Thirty Years' War and became a powerful general. He returned to Cologne and saw Griet in the square selling fruits. Griet was filled with regret and exclaimed "Jan, who would have thought it?" to which he replied "Griet, the person who should have done it!" and turns away.
Today, visitors will find traditional German architecture and old monuments dedicated to the city鈥檚 founders on and around the square. The imposing old town hall is located on the west side of the square. Visitors can also see a strange sculpture Kallendresser near house number 24's roof. The sculpture depicts someone relieving himself in the gutter. It is thought that the sculpture is a political statement directed towards the city authority.
The Old Market square is a pedestrian-only area surrended by restaurants, bars, and ice-cream shops. The place is full of life well into the night.
The Old Market square has hosted markets and a residential area since at least 922. The oldest original structure in the square dates to 1580. Many other historic houses and buildings were destroyed during World War II bombing attacks.
The 1371 Cologne Weaver Uprising took place in Old Market and Hay Market. The weavers guild and the city council continuously disagreed, and the conflict turned bloody. The city council had more manpower, however, and the weavers were arrested or forced to leave the city.
The iconic fountain features a statue of Jan von Werth completed in 1884. The legend behind the statue tells of a young girl Griet who rejected Jan, a poor peasant. Griet wanted a wealthier husband. Devastated by her rejection, Jan left to fight in the Thirty Years' War and became a powerful general. He returned to Cologne and saw Griet in the square selling fruits. Griet was filled with regret and exclaimed "Jan, who would have thought it?" to which he replied "Griet, the person who should have done it!" and turns away.
Today, visitors will find traditional German architecture and old monuments dedicated to the city鈥檚 founders on and around the square. The imposing old town hall is located on the west side of the square. Visitors can also see a strange sculpture Kallendresser near house number 24's roof. The sculpture depicts someone relieving himself in the gutter. It is thought that the sculpture is a political statement directed towards the city authority.
The Old Market square is a pedestrian-only area surrended by restaurants, bars, and ice-cream shops. The place is full of life well into the night.
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Alter Markt (Old Market) on Map
Sight Name: Alter Markt (Old Market)
Sight Location: Cologne, Germany (See walking tours in Cologne)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Cologne, Germany (See walking tours in Cologne)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Cologne, Germany
Create Your Own Walk in Cologne
Creating your own self-guided walk in Cologne is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Cologne Introduction Walking Tour
Cologne is one of Germany's oldest cities. It was founded as a Roman settlement on the Rhine in the first century, then known as the Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium.
The name came from Agrippina the Younger, wife of Roman Emperor Claudius. She came from the area and petitioned the emperor to raise the status of her home to a Colonia--a city under Roman law. During the Roman period, it... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
The name came from Agrippina the Younger, wife of Roman Emperor Claudius. She came from the area and petitioned the emperor to raise the status of her home to a Colonia--a city under Roman law. During the Roman period, it... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Cologne's Architectural Landmarks Walking Tour
Around 75% of Cologne was destroyed by Allied bombing during World War II. Following such devastation, it meant that most of what was built immediately after the war came from the so-called 鈥淎s quickly and cheaply as possible鈥� school of architecture. Eventually, as the things settled, the architects were given the chance to build something that would really stand out.
Decades later, the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Decades later, the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Cologne Shopping Tour
Calling the shops, whilst in Cologne, is the thing you definitely should not miss! One of the most popular shopping destinations in Germany, this 鈥渃athedral鈥� city abounds in malls, designer stores and various national and international brand outlets fit to impress anyone and let you shop till you drop! Some people even make special trips to Cologne just to stroll and buy things to their... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Cologne's Historical Churches Walking Tour
The beautiful and historically rich city of Cologne has been around for over 2,000 years. For centuries, it has been regarded as a very important religious center.
The K枚lner Dom (Cologne Cathedral), one of its biggest attractions, is renowned as a symbol of Christianity and 鈥渁 masterpiece of exceptional intrinsic value鈥� (UNESCO World Heritage Site). The twelve Romanesque churches of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
The K枚lner Dom (Cologne Cathedral), one of its biggest attractions, is renowned as a symbol of Christianity and 鈥渁 masterpiece of exceptional intrinsic value鈥� (UNESCO World Heritage Site). The twelve Romanesque churches of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Beer House Walking Tour
In Cologne they say, "K枚lsch is the only language you can drink." Brewed only here and nowhere else, K枚lsch 鈥� a light beer, slightly bitter, bright yellow in color, and made of top-fermented yeast 鈥� is forbidden for production in any other part of Germany.
Each licensed brewery in the city makes its own variation of K枚lsch, served traditionally in a tall, thin, cylindrical... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Each licensed brewery in the city makes its own variation of K枚lsch, served traditionally in a tall, thin, cylindrical... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles