Day 14 ~ Cologne

Cologne is located on the Rhine River in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and is the fourth-largest city in Germany. Romans settled here in the first century AD and remained until it was occupied by the Franks in 462. During the Middle Ages, it flourished because it was on one of the most important trade routes between the east and west in Europe. Up until World War II, the city had undergone several occupations by the French and also by the British. Cologne was one of the most heavily-bombed cities in Germany during World War II.  The bombing reduced the population by 95%, mainly due to evacuation, and destroyed almost the entire city. Notice the Cologne Cathedral is still standing in the rubble of the city.  The church was spared because it served as a landmark for the bomber pilots and only suffered damage to its left tower when the nearby train station was bombed.

We arrived in Cologne in the early morning hours and awakened to this view of the Cathedral. Construction on the Gothic church began in 1248 and was completed in 1880. 

Scaffolding can be found around several areas of the cathedral. Residents of Cologne sometimes refer to the cathedral as "the eternal construction site." Notice the head of our program director, Bob, in the lower right corner.

Unfortunately, the beautiful stained glass windows did not photograph well.  To save the windows from destruction during WWII, the windows were removed  from the church and taken to the countryside. The cathedral houses the Shrine of the Three Kings which supposedly contains the relics of the Three Magi.

We have seen several weddings in front of a variety of city halls (Rathaus) in the towns we have visited.  In Germany, a couple needs to have a civil ceremony for a marriage to be legal even if they have a church wedding. Below, a wedding party is waiting for its turn in front of the Rathaus.

At the end of our city tour, our program directors treated us to a German beer at a local establishment called Papa Joe’s Biersalon. As you can tell by the video below, we are all enjoying ourselves as we sing My Bonnie. https://youtu.be/UhLwScOdOaY

In Cologne their specialty is Gaffel Kolch beer which is served in a 7 oz. glass and  carried in a little knit bag around your neck. 

Tonight we had the farewell dinner and show put on by the crew.  You know you are in for quite a dinner when your place is set with this much cutlery.

By morning, we will be in our third country, the Netherlands, when we arrive in Amsterdam.