Cologne (Germany)

Cologne (Koln) is a Rhine River cruise port. The city is North Rhine-Westphalia's biggest and the Germany's 4th-largest - after Berlin, Hamburg and Munich (Munchen). Koln is among the Europe's major metropolitan regions with a population of over 10 million.

The city of Cologne is located on both sides of river Rhine, and less than 80 km from the border with Belgium. Among its most prominent landmarks are the Cologne Cathedral (World Heritage Site since 1996), the University of Cologne (one of the Europe's oldest and largest, with more than 48,000 students), over 30 museums.

Cologne was established by the Romans in the 1st century AD. The city was capital of the Germania province in the Roman Empire, until its occupation by the Franks in 462. During Middle Ages, it was among the continent's largest and most important cities. During WWII, Koln was one of the most severely bombed cities in Germany. The allies' bombing raids reduced the population by 95%, and destroyed almost the entire infrastructure.

Highlights: Kolner Dom Cathedral, Roman remains