Cologne City Guide - Dom (Cathedral) - Römischer-Germanisches Museum - Imhoff-Stollwerck-Museum - Museum Ludwig - Romanesque Churches

Dom (Cathedral)
Unmissable in every sense, this behemoth is one of the most awe-inspiring buildings in the world and holds a number of treasures, including the golden casket holding the remains of the Magi, the ninth-century Gero crucifix, the Stefan Lochner triptych and medieval stained glass windows. Climb the 509 steps to the viewing platform of the 157m- (515ft-) high South Tower for the dizzying views and down below look in the Schatzkammer (Treasury Museum).

Domkloster
Tel: (0221) 1794 0200.
Website: www.koelner-dom.de

Römischer-Germanisches Museum
This museum celebrates Cologne's importance as the capital of Roman Germany and is built around a superbly preserved mosaic floor (the best of its kind in north Europe) comprising over 1 million pieces.

Roncalliplatz 4
Tel: (0221) 22304 or 24438.
Website: www.museenkoeln.de/english

Imhoff-Stollwerck-Museum
Set in a stunning building on the Rhine, this entertaining and educational exhibition (all captions in perfect English) studies every possible aspect of the fascinating history of chocolate and features a real working production line culminating in a chocolate fountain.

Rheinauhafen 1A
Tel: (0221) 931 8880.
Website: www.schokoladenmuseum.de

Museum Ludwig
This world-class modern art museum is full of eye-catching pop art icons from the late 20th century, including masterpieces from Andy Warhol (Munroes and Campbell soups), Roy Liechtenstein and René Magritte, plus several hundred lesser works by Pablo Picasso. Dalí's huge La Gare de Perpignan is worth the entrance fee alone.

Bischofsgartenstrasse 1
Tel: (0221) 26165.
Website: www.museenkoeln.de/english

Romanesque Churches
The city boasts 12 wonderfully atmospheric churches, largely unassuming from the outside, which were originally built between the 10th and the mid 13th centuries, then rebuilt and restored after severe war damage. Don't miss Gross St Martin, St Aposteln, St Gereon, St Maria im Kapitol, St Cäcilien (now home to the Schnütgen Museum of Sacred Art) and especially St Ursula with its amazing and macabre Goldene Kammer bone chapel and reliquary room.