Cologne

In the middle ages Cologne was more important in European commerce than even London or Paris. It 

actually became Germany's largest city until the 19th century. As a place of pilgrimage Cologne was second only to Rome. 

Today it is the fourth largest city in Germany and still the centre of the German Roman Catholic Church. The gothic cathedral Kolner Dom is the largest and finest in the country. It is actually the fifth largest in the world and has the largest front of any church in the world. They began building in 1248 and due to lack of funds completed the church in 1880 still using the original plans. 

Although the bombings of WWII destroyed almost 90% of Cologne the church survived. A theory being that it was a good landmark for the bombers.

The Lindt Chocolate museum and factory.

The joys of docking the ship in the river.

St Martin Church.

These homes were built so narrow in 1236 as you paid tax on the amount of land you took but it did not matter how high you went.

Old St Albans from 1668

Archaeological dig of a Roman village.

Farina perfumery from 1709, originally started production a few years prior the 4711 the fragrance that of course is the cities most famous product.

The town hall where weddings take place every 10 minutes, there were four here just when we were walking by, it is just a registry wedding and the couples and friends then go on to a restaurant for the wedding supper.

This little fairytale fountain really caught my eye depicting the life of the elves doing the work at night for the human.

This painting in the church is in the small chapel where the services Mon - Fri take place. It is painted on wood and the detail is just amazing. You are not able to see it with the naked eye but a close up shows the detail of the carpet and the brooch she is wearing. I must look up the date when I return home but it was in the 1600's the guide said it should be in a museum as it is one of the first examples of its kind in the world.

Sorry not a good photo but it gives you the idea.

Boarding the ship again at night.