Grand Circle River Tour 3: Köln [Cologne] [Sky Watch Friday]

We took leave of Amsterdam by bus to Köln [Cologne], where our ship awaited us. I was especially excited because, although I was well traveled in Germany, I had not yet been to Köln. I was looking forward especially to seeing the Dom [Cathedral].  As our bus approached the city, I was able to catch a glimpse of it in the distance, and I got a shot with my cell phone [image below]. Although the weather was unpleasant, the clouds and mist made the scene atmospheric.

Dedicated to St. Peter, construction was started in the mid 13th century and halted in the late 15th century. Work was restarted and complete in the 19th century. One of the two Gothic towers is undergoing some renovation, but most of the facade is not obstructed from view. Here are some exterior and interior shots of this magnificent church.



We were also treated to a pub visit where we could sample the city’s famous beer known Kölsch. It is served in 0.2 liter glasses that were filled while contained in a specially constructed circular tray [image below] while rapidly rotating the tray as the beer flowed continuously from a spigot.

   After leaving the pub, I spied this figure on the wall of a nearby hotel.