On colonies to Cologne

Trip to Germany

Despite being so close, Germany is not as popular with Polish tourists as, for example, much more distant Italy or Spain. They lack wide, sandy beaches and warm, emerald water, but that doesn't mean they don't deserve a visit. And it certainly cannot be said of the wonderful city of Cologne, Germany's fourth largest city.

Warsaw is less than 10 hours' drive from the city center, so the journey takes a long time and requires rest. Along the way, you can stop in selected cities and discover a lot of beauties in a seemingly harsh country.

Via Magdeburg to the destination

You can make a stop, among others in Magdeburg, a city famous for its beautiful and dignified cathedrals. The most famous of them is the symbol of the city - the Gothic Cathedral of Saints Maurice and Catherine , richly decorated with bas-reliefs, with numerous cloisters. The basilica's towers are visible from a distance, and the building itself is considered one of the most magnificent monuments in central Germany. It is the first German gothic cathedral.

In the immediate vicinity of the slender basilica there is a residential complex which is an extraordinary contrast to the cathedral. The Green Citadel , the work of the architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser, is difficult to describe in a few words, but it certainly fits the term "controversial". It is a group of pink (contrary to the name) buildings that give the impression that they wave in the eyes of the viewer. Not everyone will find them beautiful, but no one will deny their originality.

While in the city, it is worth paying attention to the monument known as the Magdeburg Horseman . This delicious bronze sculpture is a faithful copy of the first monumental free-standing sculpture north of the Alps. It probably depicts Emperor Otto I, although there are several versions. The original of the sculpture is in the Kulturhistorisches Museum, while the copy is in the city center, in the Old Market Square.

The Barleber See campsite is located near Magdeburg. It is located on the lake of the same name and a 15-minute drive from the city center. A place for a caravan costs 4 EUR / day on it, while for a motorhome the price is 7 EUR / day. We will pay 5 euros a day for an adult and 3 euros for a child up to 15 years of age.

Bielefeld and Dortmund

Magdeburg is less than 2.5 hours away from Bielefeld . The heart of the old part of the city is surrounded by historic patrician houses, the Old Market Square with the Mercury fountain. The Orwell house is especially worth seeing - its corridors and staircase are lined with 7,000 square meters. tiles from Delft. The beauty of the building is also added by a late-gothic stepped gable from the 16th century.

The main attraction of Bielefeld is Sparrenburg Castle , situated on the slope of the Teutoburg Forest. It is the oldest symbol of the city, serving hundreds of years as a fortress and prison. Today, from its restored towers, you can enjoy a wonderful view of the surrounding area. Every year the castle hosts the medieval Sparrenburgfest, where you can taste regional dishes and admire old costumes.

The last stop can be made in Dortmund, a city famous for its many museums and historic townhouses. In the past, the center was mainly associated with the steel industry, but today it is identified with promoting art and creativity. The more that the city skillfully combines the mentioned art with the past. Visitors can see this on a tour of the Hoesch Museum - "3D Steel Mill Adventure" ("3D Erlebnis Stahlwerk"), a virtual exhibition inside the giant steel mill, awaits them. A similar exhibition can be seen in the closed Hansa coking plant, where visitors can get to know the entire structure while viewing the exhibition "Nature and Technology".

Also famous is the Dortmund Brewery Museum (Brauerei-Museum), where you can learn about the history of the local brewing from the Middle Ages to today. These exhibitions are worth paying attention to - after all, in the 19th and 20th centuries, Dortmund was the "beer capital" of Europe.

Finally, there is Cologne, a city of Gothic cathedrals and Romanesque churches. Contrary to the opinion of many people, it was here, and not in France, that the world's first perfume factory was established. The famous Eau de Cologne, Eau de Cologne , was born here. The House-Museum of the perfumer Johann Maria Farina still exists today, and was established in 1709. The Gothic Town Hall and the House of Dance ( Gürzenich ) built in this style are also noteworthy. And if someone wants to visit the city at night as well, go to the Hohenzollern Bridge area. It is 689 meters long, it is beautifully illuminated and it has a great view of the cathedral.

By the way. Upon arrival in Cologne, make sure to visit the Cathedral of Saint Peter and Our Lady , the largest and most important church in the region. Built in the style of the French cathedral gothic, it delights the viewers with the scale of the project, monumentality and beauty of the facade and soaring towers. It is huge, with 12 bells hanging on its towers, and the most famous of them is the St. Peter's Bell - the largest ringing bell in Europe. Visits to this temple will not be forgotten for a long time.

A campsite in and around Cologne

Both in the city itself and in its vicinity you will find many guesthouses, hotels, large campsites and more intimate places. Those traveling with their own motorhome can stay at Camping Berger (Uferstrasse 71). Two adults will pay approx. 19.5 euro / day, depending on the season. There is a playground, bike rental, shop and bar. An additional advantage of the campsite is its excellent location - by the river.

The remaining campsites are equally attractive, and their number will allow each tourist to choose the best place for themselves. A longer stay in this region will allow not only to get to know the area, but most of all it will make visitors aware of how beautiful the scenery can be seen here. And no one will ever consider this country rich in tourist attractions only as a route to the south of Europe.