2014-16 Lower Rhine River & Cologne, Germany
Hello All,
Departing Koblenz, we continued to cruise down the Rhine River towards our next port of call Cologne, Germany. At 820 miles, the Rhine is Europe’s longest river, rising in the Swiss Alps and flowing to the North Sea at Rotterdam, The Netherlands. It is a major international waterway as it flows through six countries and forms an international border in several places. The Germans respectfully refer to their longest and most important river as “Father Rhine.”
Today, ships can travel safely between Basel, Switzerland, and the North Sea, but that wasn’t always so. Robber barons in their castles, guilds and corporations in the towns, along with customs stations, all used to make trouble for ship captains. In the 14th century, there were 62 customs stations, and many cities had staple rights, enabling them to force ships to unload and offer their cargo for sale locally. That all ended in 1831 when the Rhine Shipping Act was signed in Mainz, Germany. From then on the Rhine prospered as an international waterway benefiting countries throughout Europe.
While we cruised along the Rhine River we passed many beautiful picturesque areas with stately mansions. We just couldn’t resist snapping photos along the way. Some have vineyards in their yards—think maybe they are associated with the Rhine wine industry!
Departing Koblenz, we continued to cruise down the Rhine River towards our next port of call Cologne, Germany. At 820 miles, the Rhine is Europe’s longest river, rising in the Swiss Alps and flowing to the North Sea at Rotterdam, The Netherlands. It is a major international waterway as it flows through six countries and forms an international border in several places. The Germans respectfully refer to their longest and most important river as “Father Rhine.”
Today, ships can travel safely between Basel, Switzerland, and the North Sea, but that wasn’t always so. Robber barons in their castles, guilds and corporations in the towns, along with customs stations, all used to make trouble for ship captains. In the 14th century, there were 62 customs stations, and many cities had staple rights, enabling them to force ships to unload and offer their cargo for sale locally. That all ended in 1831 when the Rhine Shipping Act was signed in Mainz, Germany. From then on the Rhine prospered as an international waterway benefiting countries throughout Europe.
While we cruised along the Rhine River we passed many beautiful picturesque areas with stately mansions. We just couldn’t resist snapping photos along the way. Some have vineyards in their yards—think maybe they are associated with the Rhine wine industry!
And the towns and villages
were bright, clean and colorful. It looked like a truly enchanting place to
live.
Cologne is Germany’s fourth
largest city and is located on both sides of the Rhine River. We found it
interesting that the German spelling of Cologne is Köln. Within the metropolitan
area there are more than ten million inhabitants. It was one of the most
heavily bombed cities in World War II. We were surprised to learn that it is
only about five miles from Belgium. The city dates to the first century and is
famous for the massive Cologne Cathedral.
We arrived in Cologne at 9 am and would not depart until 10:45 pm that evening. The ship provided shuttle buses into and from the city every hour. There was a German fireboat tied up near where we were docked.
We arrived in Cologne at 9 am and would not depart until 10:45 pm that evening. The ship provided shuttle buses into and from the city every hour. There was a German fireboat tied up near where we were docked.
As we waited to board our tour
bus into the city we snapped the following photos of the Cologne Cathedral
commonly known locally as the Dom. It was a good thing that we snapped these
photos because once we got into the city it is so massive that there is no way
of getting a photo of the entire structure.
The cathedral is the largest
Gothic church in Northern Europe. It is 474 feet long, 283.0 feet wide and its
towers are approximately 515 feet tall. It is Germany's most visited landmark,
attracting an average of 20,000 people a day.
Our walking tour of the city
was enjoyable. We found the city to be much more modern than most of the cities
we visited on this trip. This was probably due to being completely rebuilt
after World War II. It also appeared to be a city that came alive after dark
with the many quaint little bars and eating establishments.
Cologne is renowned for its
wealth of places to eat and drink. There is everything from gourmet restaurants
to more than 100 traditional brewpubs, known as a brauhaus. The city is famous
for its Kolsch beer and is served chilled by waiters called “Kobes,” wearing
the traditional costume of the brewery.
As with most large cities
Cologne was no different, in that it had its share of graffiti and some of the
younger generation making their fashion statements!
This is Ostermann Fountain
which is in Ostermannplatz Square in Cologne’s Old Town--it was completed in
1939.
We found it interesting that
local artists or vandals had taken liberty with the statues.
Some of the many bakeries and
confectionaries had some amazing looking items displayed in their windows. They
really made it hard to pass up temptations.
We felt like we put on five
pounds just walking by the shops!
We toured the Cologne Cathedral--walking
completely around it and then from within. It is a pretty amazing work of art
with a lot of history.
Outside the church, we ran into this guy. Think he was pitching something like “Get your photo taken with an angel.” As with most people, we passed on his offer.
Outside the church, we ran into this guy. Think he was pitching something like “Get your photo taken with an angel.” As with most people, we passed on his offer.
We found Cologne to be a
diverse and interesting city. It is a place where we could have spent more
time. But, as with most places in our travels we get a good snapshot of an area
and then move on to the next. So many places to visit and so little time left
to do it.
Late in the evening our ship departed and we continued cruising down the Rhine River for our next destination—Kinderdijk, The Netherlands. We look forward to you joining us on that adventure.
Until next time,
Dave & Barb
The Traveling Browns
Late in the evening our ship departed and we continued cruising down the Rhine River for our next destination—Kinderdijk, The Netherlands. We look forward to you joining us on that adventure.
Until next time,
Dave & Barb
The Traveling Browns