Heumarkt (Hay Market), Cologne (must see)
Welcome to Cologne鈥檚 Hay Market鈥攚here the past smells faintly of hay, spice, and maybe a little too much fish.
Dating all the way back to Roman times, this square is one of Central Europe鈥檚 oldest markets. In the Middle Ages, it bloomed into a buzzing trade hub. Originally, Hay Market and Old Market were one big commercial jumble simply called the Old Market. But as the centuries marched on and city life got more complex, the two parted ways鈥攁micably, we assume...
By the 13th century, Cologne was booming, with a population of over 40,000鈥攎assive by medieval standards. Hay Market, thanks to its prime location, became the go-to spot for everything from cheese to chickpeas. Traders hawked vegetables, fish, grain, spices, and yes, actual hay. In 1492, while Columbus was off looking for India, a grain scale was added here to keep the deals honest.
But this wasn鈥檛 just your average muddy medieval market. During the Renaissance, Hay Market leveled up in beauty, drawing comparisons to Venice鈥檚 St. Mark鈥檚 Square. Today, it鈥檚 still charming, paved in brick, framed by neatly trimmed trees, and peppered with restaurants that definitely know how to plate a schnitzel.
In 1580, the Cologne stock exchange took root here, too鈥攑roof that not just onions were traded. Closer to our days, in 1878, the square got a serious upgrade in the form of a dramatic equestrian statue of Prussia鈥檚 King Friedrich Wilhelm III. The Market Hall was added in 1904, and historic flair has been going strong here ever since.
Though nobody comes here for hay anymore, Hay Market is far from quiet. These days, it鈥檚 one of the city鈥檚 liveliest squares鈥攑acked with pubs, breweries, and caf茅s perfect for watching the world go by. And in winter, it transforms into a holiday wonderland with a cheerful Christmas market and a festive ice-skating rink.
Hay Market may have traded its wagons and wheat for lattes and selfies鈥攂ut its spirit is very much alive and thriving.
Dating all the way back to Roman times, this square is one of Central Europe鈥檚 oldest markets. In the Middle Ages, it bloomed into a buzzing trade hub. Originally, Hay Market and Old Market were one big commercial jumble simply called the Old Market. But as the centuries marched on and city life got more complex, the two parted ways鈥攁micably, we assume...
By the 13th century, Cologne was booming, with a population of over 40,000鈥攎assive by medieval standards. Hay Market, thanks to its prime location, became the go-to spot for everything from cheese to chickpeas. Traders hawked vegetables, fish, grain, spices, and yes, actual hay. In 1492, while Columbus was off looking for India, a grain scale was added here to keep the deals honest.
But this wasn鈥檛 just your average muddy medieval market. During the Renaissance, Hay Market leveled up in beauty, drawing comparisons to Venice鈥檚 St. Mark鈥檚 Square. Today, it鈥檚 still charming, paved in brick, framed by neatly trimmed trees, and peppered with restaurants that definitely know how to plate a schnitzel.
In 1580, the Cologne stock exchange took root here, too鈥攑roof that not just onions were traded. Closer to our days, in 1878, the square got a serious upgrade in the form of a dramatic equestrian statue of Prussia鈥檚 King Friedrich Wilhelm III. The Market Hall was added in 1904, and historic flair has been going strong here ever since.
Though nobody comes here for hay anymore, Hay Market is far from quiet. These days, it鈥檚 one of the city鈥檚 liveliest squares鈥攑acked with pubs, breweries, and caf茅s perfect for watching the world go by. And in winter, it transforms into a holiday wonderland with a cheerful Christmas market and a festive ice-skating rink.
Hay Market may have traded its wagons and wheat for lattes and selfies鈥攂ut its spirit is very much alive and thriving.
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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Heumarkt (Hay Market) on Map
Sight Name: Heumarkt (Hay Market)
Sight Location: Cologne, Germany (See walking tours in Cologne)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Cologne, Germany (See walking tours in Cologne)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
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'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
Decades later, the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 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
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
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
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'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
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
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
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles