Alter Markt (Old Market), Cologne

In the Old Market Square of Cologne, cobblestones carry gossip older than most European countries.

Once connected to the Hay Market, this lively square has seen everything from Renaissance flair to full-blown weaver revolts. Today, it's home to beautiful fa莽ades, a dramatic fountain, and, come winter, one of Cologne鈥檚 coziest Christmas Markets. But don鈥檛 let the mulled wine distract you from the centuries of drama baked into these stones.

Markets and homes have stood here since at least the year 922鈥攖hat鈥檚 not a typo... The oldest surviving building dates back to 1580, though many historic structures were wiped out during WWII bombings. Still, Cologne rebuilt with style, as it always does.

One particularly spicy chapter unfolded here in 1371: the Cologne Weaver Uprising. Picture disgruntled guild members facing off with the city council. The weavers lost鈥攂adly鈥攁nd were either arrested or politely escorted out of town with pitchforks (not the musical kind).

At the heart of the square stands the Jan von Werth fountain, completed in 1884. The story it tells is pure soap opera. Young Jan, a lowly farm boy, fell for Griet. But Griet wanted someone with a bit more... coin. Heartbroken, Jan headed off to the Thirty Years鈥� War, leveled up to war hero status, and returned to find Griet peddling fruit in the square. She gasped, 鈥淛an, who would鈥檝e thought it?鈥� To this, he shrugged and delivered the ultimate verbal mic drop: 鈥淕riet, the one who should have鈥� (and with these words, he turned away).

Around the square, you鈥檒l find old-school German architecture, statues of the city鈥檚 founders, and鈥攗p near house No. 24鈥攁 cheeky little sculpture called Kallendresser. It shows a man relieving himself into a gutter. Tasteful? Not exactly. But pointed absolutely鈥攊t鈥檚 likely a rebellious jab at the city hall conveniently located on the square鈥檚 west side.

Today, the Old Market is car-free and people-full. With its bars, restaurants, and ice cream shops, it buzzes well into the night. So, come here for the history, stay for the beer鈥攁nd maybe watch out for flying weaver spindles...

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Cologne. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Alter Markt (Old Market)
Sight Location: Cologne, Germany (See walking tours in Cologne)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Cologne Introduction Walking Tour

Walking Tours in Cologne, Germany

Create Your Own Walk in Cologne

Creating your own self-guided walk in Cologne is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Cologne Introduction Walking Tour

Cologne鈥攐ne of Germany鈥檚 oldest cities, whose name sounds like a perfume, and for a good reason... With over 2,000 years of history packed into its cobblestoned streets and riverside promenades, this city has seen it all鈥攆rom Roman emperors to French invaders to enthusiastic beer drinkers in the 21st century.

Back in the first century BC, the Romans set up a camp and called it Colonia... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles

Cologne Shopping Tour

Calling the shops, whilst in Cologne, is the thing you definitely should not miss! One of the most popular shopping destinations in Germany, this 鈥渃athedral鈥� city abounds in malls, designer stores and various national and international brand outlets fit to impress anyone and let you shop till you drop! Some people even make special trips to Cologne just to stroll and buy things to their... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles

Cologne's Architectural Landmarks Walking Tour

Around 75% of Cologne was destroyed by Allied bombing during World War II. Following such devastation, it meant that most of what was built immediately after the war came from the so-called 鈥淎s quickly and cheaply as possible鈥� school of architecture. Eventually, as the things settled, the architects were given the chance to build something that would really stand out.

Decades later, the... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles

Cologne's Historical Churches Walking Tour

The beautiful and historically rich city of Cologne has been around for over 2,000 years. For centuries, it has been regarded as a very important religious center.

The K枚lner Dom (Cologne Cathedral), one of its biggest attractions, is renowned as a symbol of Christianity and 鈥渁 masterpiece of exceptional intrinsic value鈥� (UNESCO World Heritage Site). The twelve Romanesque churches of... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles

Beer House Walking Tour

In Cologne they say, "K枚lsch is the only language you can drink." Brewed only here and nowhere else, K枚lsch 鈥� a light beer, slightly bitter, bright yellow in color, and made of top-fermented yeast 鈥� is forbidden for production in any other part of Germany.

Each licensed brewery in the city makes its own variation of K枚lsch, served traditionally in a tall, thin, cylindrical... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles

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