Historic Town Hall, Cologne
The Historic Town Hall was built on the site of the Roman Praetorium, which was the Roman Governor of Germania Inferior's seat through 475. An earthquake in the eighth century destroyed the Praetorium.
Historic Town Hall is Germany's oldest city hall. Citizens formed a commune in the 11th century, and Cologne's coat of arms dates to 1114. The roofed hall building is City Hall's oldest building. The building dates to 1330 and features stone figures representing the Emperor, the Privileges, and the Nine Worthies.
The Gothic-style tower was constructed between 1407 and 1414. The five-story tower is 61 meters (200 feet) tall. The tower was Cologne's first secular high-rise and features 130 stone statues. The tower was damaged by World War II bombs but has been restored. The tower's carillon is played four times a day.
The Renaissance-style loggia, known as the Rathauslaube, was completed in 1573. The two-story arcade serves as an entrance to the main hall. In addition, the loggia's balcony was used for public speeches. The upper floor's parapet features a sculpture showing the struggle between a lion and the mayor Gryn.
The Spanischer Bau building was finished in 1615 and features Dutch Renaissance architecture. The name refers to Spanish delegates who were in residence during the Thirty Years War of 1618-1648. The Piazzetta was built after World War II.
Why You Should Visit:
Oldest town hall in Germany; a complex of different architectural styles, pleasant to see. The stone-paved area is perfect for a walk.
Tip:
Nice views from the other side of the river, along with the bridge and the cathedral.
Historic Town Hall is Germany's oldest city hall. Citizens formed a commune in the 11th century, and Cologne's coat of arms dates to 1114. The roofed hall building is City Hall's oldest building. The building dates to 1330 and features stone figures representing the Emperor, the Privileges, and the Nine Worthies.
The Gothic-style tower was constructed between 1407 and 1414. The five-story tower is 61 meters (200 feet) tall. The tower was Cologne's first secular high-rise and features 130 stone statues. The tower was damaged by World War II bombs but has been restored. The tower's carillon is played four times a day.
The Renaissance-style loggia, known as the Rathauslaube, was completed in 1573. The two-story arcade serves as an entrance to the main hall. In addition, the loggia's balcony was used for public speeches. The upper floor's parapet features a sculpture showing the struggle between a lion and the mayor Gryn.
The Spanischer Bau building was finished in 1615 and features Dutch Renaissance architecture. The name refers to Spanish delegates who were in residence during the Thirty Years War of 1618-1648. The Piazzetta was built after World War II.
Why You Should Visit:
Oldest town hall in Germany; a complex of different architectural styles, pleasant to see. The stone-paved area is perfect for a walk.
Tip:
Nice views from the other side of the river, along with the bridge and the cathedral.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Cologne. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Historic Town Hall on Map
Sight Name: Historic Town Hall
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
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
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
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