Geoff Brock & Bruce Gamble
         
     
 

Visiting Cologne &
sailing past Düsseldorf
Another day in limbo for me. I wanted to join the shopping excursion to Düsseldorf this morning, but no, I wasn't allowed to go. I had planned to buy expensive gifts, from Düsseldorf's expensive boutiques, for my family back home, but no, I was denied this pleasure. Instead I stayed on board while these two walked around some stupid cathedral. I still have some beer left over from the other day and of course, the minibar is well stocked.... hic!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Saturday 3rd May 2014
  
After a few days of grey skies, we were pleased to wake up and see a beautiful blue sky with plenty of sunshine. On the other hand, there was a chilly wind, but we weren't complaining. Just after breakfast, we docked in the city of Cologne, Germany's fourth-largest city (after Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich).
 
We could see the cathedral and the Hohenzollern Bridge from where we were docked.
It was going to be a walking tour, so we set off from the ship with our guide. It looked like the South Africans were in town...
Hohenzollern Bridge
A view of the cathedral from the river bank.
 
Fish market square, the site of the fish fountain, overlooked by Great St. Martin Church.
   
Great St. Martin Church

The statues of the “Kölsch” folklore figures Tünnes and Schäl
The Old Town Hall
In the centre of the Alter Markt, the biggest square in Cologne’s old town, stands a fountain with a statue of Jan von Werth that dates back to 1884.
The cathedral from the south
Cologne's Gothic Cathedral (Kölner Dom) is magnificent, It is the largest in northern Europe and is the seat of the Catholic Archbishop of Cologne. Charlemagne founded the archdiocese of Cologne, and from the 12th to the 18th centuries the powerful city was the fourth Christian metropolis after Jerusalem, Byzantine, and Rome to have the "Sancta" designation in its name.
The cornerstone for Cologne's Dom Cathedral was laid in 1248, but the church wasn't completed until 1880. Construction stopped completely on the cathedral in the 16th century and the city persecuted both Jews and Protestants during this time. In the 19th century Cologne was one of the most important cities in Prussia, and the Prussian royalty supported the completion of the cathedral starting in 1861.
 
The nave looking east
Interior of the medieval east end
The height of the cathedral is amazing and its stained glass windows are equally amazing.
 
This stained glass window by Gerhard Richter is 20 metres tall!
 

The cathedral was first conceived when small boxes carrying the relics (reliquaries) of the three holy kings were brought to Cologne in 1164. These reliquaries are the centerpiece of the church today.

The Shrine of the Three Kings
 
 
This "swallows' nest" organ was built into the gallery in 1998, to celebrate the cathedral's 750 years
West facade
 
 
 
Friends of William Bear
 
 
By now, we had abandoned the walking tour (we do this quite a lot!) and walked slowly back to the ship for lunch.
 
When we got back to our cabin, we were surprised to see an invitation to dine with the captain that evening.
 
 

 

During lunch, we sailed. Before too long we were approaching Düsseldorf.


Rhine River Bridge at Flehe, near Düsseldorf
 
Rheinkniebrücke in Düsseldorf
 
 
 
Düsseldorf, Iooking prosperous!
 
It was nice to see sheep grazing close to the heart of the city.
 
 
 
 
 
That evening, as we continued cruising towards Amsterdam, we all got dressed up for the Captain's dinner. We had drinks beforehand with Anne and John (seated), Carole (taking the photo) and Jim. It would have been lovely to dine with them too on this special occasion, but as we had (somewhat rashly) accepted the captain's dinner invitation, we were obliged to join his table. It was a mistake, because the captain spoke little English and conversation was difficult. Mental note for future cruises... stick with the people whose company you have grown to enjoy!
Next and final stop tomorrow... Amsterdam!
 
 
©Geoff Brock and Bruce Gamble