Cologne, Germany — Also called Köln, Cologne is a 2,000-year-old city spanning the Rhine River at the west side of Germany. Cologne is regarded as the region’s cultural center.

Cologne is best experienced by walking around the city to have a better appreciation of the various landmarks that are of high Gothic architecture set amidst a beautiful reconstructed old town.

The twin-spired Cologne Cathedral dominates the skyline of the city. Upon arriving in the city, It’s one of the first landmarks that I have noticed. That isn’t very surprising at all since the cathedral is one of the largest in Europe. The Cologne Cathedral is not only a popular destination for tourists but also one of the most famous one that Cologne is known for.

According ro my Couchsurfng host, the Cologne Cathedral is popular for holding the shrine of The Three Wise Men which is a holy relic brought by a German archbishop back in the mid-12th century.

Moreover, Cologne is also known for its gilded medieval reliquary and sweeping river views. I remember enjoying my walks around the Rhine River. Everywhere my eyes gazed was picturesque from the Museum Ludwig that showcases 20th-century art, including those by Picasso, to the Romano-Germanic Museum that is home to various Roman antiquities.

The modern Köln Triangle, a 103.2 metres tall triangular building in Deutz, Cologne, gives a breathtaking 360-degrees view of the entire city. The Hohenzollern Bridge that crosses the Rhine River, is a six-track railway bridge and has walkways and cycle paths on both sides. I was pretty surprised to see about 40,000 padlocks (as per a local I’ve met) hang on the bridge to date. All of these sites in Cologne captivated my soul!

Sometimes I have difficulty gathering my thoughts to come up with a better narrative about places I have been. Maybe I’m too mesmerized and overwhelmed by the experience that I tend to be lost for words. That’s the case with Cologne. So allow me to just fill this post with some lovely photos from this captivating German city.

Ending this post about two German food one should try in Cologne. One is a dish called Himmel und Erde, which means heaven and earth and is a sweet and savory kind of dish. It is made of mashed potatoes, apple sauce or compote, some fried onions and a black pudding. This pudding is actually a special kind of sausage that contains pork and dried pig’s blood (reminds me so much of Cordillera’s local dish “pinuneg” which is also a form if blood sausage).

And if you love desserts like me, then don’t leave the city without indulging on “Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte” or black forest cherry cake which is considered as one of their favorite desserts. It is made of layers of rich chocolate cake with whipped cream and cherries and brushed with kirsch liqueur (a spirit made from distilling sour cherries).

Take it easy.