BRIEF HISTORY
Cologne was founded by the Romans in 50 A.D., making it one of Germany's oldest cities. Its Roman name was Colonia Claudia Are Agrippinensium. In 310 Constantine built a bridge over the Rhine. During World War II the city suffered major damage and casualties. The city lost 95 percent of its population (mostly to rural areas). But as soon as the war ended, Cologne quickly rebounded.

COLOGNE CATHEDRAL
Hohe Strasse is a popular shopping district. In fact, last year it was named the number one shopping street in Germany, with over 17,145 visitors passing by per hour. That's a lot of shoppers! I walked down it too, but the only things I bought were delicious pretzels. Shopping actually plays a minor role in this city. The most famous attraction by far is the Cologne cathedral (also known just as the 'Dom'). Its towering spires (515 feet high) can be seen from almost anywhere. The Dom, located in the heart of the city, is Germany's most popular monument: over 6 million visitors a year. (Notre Dame in Paris greets just a million more guests.) One reason for this Gothic cathedral's popularity is because it is believed to house relics of the Three Wise Men. In addition, it's a UNESCO World Heritage site. The church was built in 1248 and completed 642 years later, in 1880. Though the church was bombed during WWII, it was not completely destroyed. It is now undergoing constant reconstruction. Surprisingly, this church is not even the oldest in Cologne: 12 nearby Romanesque churches are all older. Be sure to attend either daily mass, take a guided tour, or head up to the top for a bird's-eye view. Cologne Cathedral, open Monday � Sunday, 6 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.

ROMAN-GERMANIC MUSEUM
Cologne has so many museums, I could not visit them all. My first choice was the Chocolate Museum. But I wanted to save the best for last, so I waited until the day I left. I learned the hard way that in Germany, all museums close on Mondays. Fortunately, early in my stay I visited the Roman-Germanic Museum. It's located in the heart of the city, right next to the Cologne Dom. The Roman Art includes mosaics with scenes from the world of Dionysus. There's a reconstructed tomb of the legionary Poblicius, and a large collection of Roman glass vessels and early medieval jewelry. Romisch-Germanisches Museum, Roncalliplatz 4, D-50667 Cologne; tel.: 49-221-221-22304. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. � 5 p.m. Admission: E 6.45 ($8.20). For more click HERE.