Day 10 - Cologne

Total so far 513.40 km

Today is a non-bike rest day. We decided that the Cologne Cathedral, it's surrounding neighbourhood and lunch was the plan for the day.

We crossed the Rhine again on the Hohenzollern Bridge to reach the Cathedral. The fence separating people and trains is covered with padlocks. You cannot see the fence anymore and at many spots on the you have 3 and 4 layers of padlocks.  The fence on the other side also has padlocks but you can still easily see through it.

So many locks

From a distance the Cologne Cathedral is massive and very imposing. As you near, you get to see more and more very ornate details and sculptures everywhere. It's even more impressive when you enter. While not destroyed, the Cathedral was heavily damaged during WW 2. After the war, it was restored. The old cathedral was consecrated in 873 and the Cologne Cathedral completed in 1880.

War damage on left, restored on right

Everyone visits the cathedral

After a lovely lunch on the Huemarkt, we walked the streets of the old town towards the bridge with padlocks. We walked the shore of the Rhine, where we had cycled yesterday. Today, it would have been nearly impossible to do that.

Same bridge later in the afternoon much busier

Once back on our side of the Rhine, we made a stop at the Cologne Triangle, a 100 meter platform with a 360 view a top a commercial building. The building has sides shaped into a Reuleaux triangle. At the top, you get a perfect unobstructed view of the Cathedral. A quick stop by a bakery for a well deserved break.  

From the top of Triangle building

The cathedral and bridge we crossed by foot

It was a hard slug walking on huge pavers with sandals. While pretty rough, it is much easier to roll on the surface with bicycles.

P.S: Read Claudia's comments on yesterday's post and discover her band on YouTube: Jimmy Cornett and the Deadmen.(Video not suitable for all ages)