STUDENT INFORMATION
COLOGNE
Cologne was founded as the Roman settlement Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensum and its first city wall was built in the 1st century A.D.
Today - with a population of over one million - Cologne is the biggest city in North Rhine Westphalia and the fourth-largest city in Germany.
The city's famous and imposing landmark is the cathedral (Kölner Dom), a masterpiece of the high gothic style and one of the biggest cathedrals in Europe. The cathedral is also the heart of the city, bordering on the south part of the old town with numerous pubs, breweries and cafés. Also in the immediate vicinity of the cathedral you will find retail areas that invite you to stroll and shop.
Another distinctive feature of the city is the Rhine, a river that marks large parts of the cityscape and is crossed by bridges from where you can see imposing views of the city's historical skyline.
Culture also plays a major role in Cologne, and with 40 museums, 100 private galleries, 40 private and public theatres, the opera house, philharmonic and musical theatres, Cologne has a lot to offer in this field.
As the home base of the VIVA music video channel and countless radio and TV broadcasting stations, book, newspaper and magazine publishing houses, Cologne is Germany's music and media centre.
Sports fans will also be spoilt for choice, and with soccer, horse and bike racing, ice hockey, basketball and the Cologne Marathon there's something to suit every taste.
Cologne celebrates its biggest party once a year at carnival time. You cannot really describe carnival in Cologne, you just have to experience it! The whole city rings with cries of "Kölle Alaaf!" and celebrates its very own lifestyle, drinking the city's own Kölsch beer, which may only be brewed in Cologne - albeit in 30 different varieties.
So, as you can see, there are many reasons to come to Cologne!