North Rhine-Westphalia

Architectural highlights in Cologne

Architectural Highlights of Cologne

This collection spans the architectural history of the North Rhine-Westphalia region, anchored by Cologne’s medieval and Baroque landmarks. It includes the 13th-century Overstolzenhaus and the late Gothic Rathausturm, alongside the industrial steel design of Wuppertal’s Kohlfurther Bridge. The selection highlights diverse styles, from the Romanesque foundations of St. Pankratius in Königswinter to the modern high-rise glass aesthetics of Düsseldorf’s Stadttor. These structures represent the region's transition from defensive fortresses and ecclesiastical centers to contemporary urban hubs.

Architectural Highlights of Cologne — Map

userpage / CC BY-SA 3.0

A

Overstolzenhaus

Dating back to the 13th century, this is one of the oldest buildings in Cologne. However, its age is not its main draw.

Philip De Raes / CC-BY-SA

B

St. Mariä Himmelfahrt Church

Once one of the largest churches in Cologne, this cathedral is one of the last remaining examples of Baroque architecture in the city.

Erandi Tusku / CC-BY-SA

C

Rathausturm

This 61-meter-tall late Gothic tower was built between 1407 and 1414. It features over 100 stone statues and serves as a prominent landmark of Cologne's historic City Hall.

Teodor Gheorghe / CC-BY-SA

D

City Gate

Stadttor is a 20-storey 84 m high-rise building in the Unterbilk neighborhood of Düsseldorf, Germany.

Frank Vincentz / CC-BY-SA-3.0

E

Kohlfurther Bridge

The Kohlfurther Bridge is a truss bridge made of steel over the Wupper river in the borough of Cronenberg in Wuppertal, located on the city…

Euku / CC BY-SA 3.0

F

Berliner Tor

A Baroque city gate in Wesel, constructed between 1718 and 1722 by architect Jean de Bodt. It is a major surviving element of the city's former Prussian fortress.

Golgert / CC BY-SA 3.0

G

Sankt Josef

A Roman Catholic church in Kierspe featuring modern architectural design, built to serve the local parish in the mid-20th century.

Gohnarch / CC-BY-SA-3.0

H

Oberbergischer Dom

An evangelical church in Gummersbach featuring a blend of Romanesque and Gothic architectural elements, historically significant to the Oberbergischer Kreis region.

Beckstet / CC BY-SA 3.0

I

St. Pankratius

A former 12th-century priory church located in Königswinter-Oberpleis, showcasing a transition between Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles.

//www.reserv-a-rt.de / CC-BY-SA-3.0

J

Willibrordi-Dom

A late Gothic five-aisled basilica built between 1498 and 1540 in Wesel. It is a significant example of ecclesiastical architecture in the lower Rhine region.

Other Lists

Nordrhein-Westfalen's Essential Landmarks Cologne's Hidden Gems Cologne Heritage Sites Churches and Religious Sites Castles and Manor Houses Cologne's Museums & Galleries Parks and Nature Reserves Regional German Flavors