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History & Religion
 Period of prosperity | Cologne today | Timeline | City of faith
Cologne is the oldest of the major German cities. Its name goes back to the Romans, who gave their city the name of »Colonia« in 50 A.D.
  Milestones in Cologne's history
| Date |
Event |
| 2006 |
Five games of the Soccer Worldcup 2006 are played in the RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne. |
| 2005 |
On the occassion of the 20th World Youth Day more than one million people come to Cologne. Pope Benedict XVI. also visits the catholic youth festival.
|
| 2003 |
The ICE (InterCity Express) trains reach Frankfurt on the new Cologne-Rhine/Main high-speed railwayline; an underground ICE railway station beneath Cologne/Bonn Airport is opened one year later.
|
| 1999 |
Cologne becomes »Summit City«: The political leaders of the western industrial nations and
Russia (G8) meet in Cologne.
|
| 1998 |
The Kölnarena (since 2008 Lanxess Arena), Germany's largest multifunctional events forum for over 18,000 visitors,
creates a new dimension in the German music and show scene.
|
| 1998 |
Gothic year. 750th anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone of Cologne Cathedral. |
| 1986 |
Opening of the cultural centre on the Rhine with Wallraf-Richartz Museum/Museum
Ludwig and the Philharmonic.
|
| 1985 |
Year of the Romanesque churches. |
| 1984 |
Rhine Embankment Tunnel. Cologne is once again directly on the Rhine. |
| 1975 |
Due to the communal territorial reform Cologne becomes a city of one million inhabitants. |
| 24.8.1972 |
The restored historical Town Hall is reopened. |
| 13.10.1946 |
The first post-war city council is freely elected. |
| 1942 -1945 |
90 % of the city centre is destroyed during the 2nd World War, 72 % of the municipal area. |
| 1925 |
The American automobile pioneer Ford starts its production in Cologne. |
| 1922 |
Foundation of Koelnmesse. |
| 1881 |
Demolition of the mediaeval city wall and extension of the city (until about 1914) |
| 1880 |
Completion of the Cathedral. |
| 1842 |
Restart of construction work on the Cathedral. |
| 1823 |
The new Festival Committee organizes the first Rose Monday Parade in Cologne Carnival. |
| 1815 |
Cologne and the Rhineland become part of Prussia. |
| 1794 |
Cologne is occupied by the French revolutionary troops. Cologne becomes part of France. |
| 1560 |
Construction of the Cathedral is suspended. |
| 1553 |
Foundation of Cologne Stock Exchange, one of the oldest in the world. |
| 1475 |
Cologne is granted the status of a free imperial city (de facto already since 1288). |
| 1396 |
Proclamation of a new city constitution (»Verbundbrief«). |
| 1388 |
Foundation of Cologne University as the first municipal university in Europe. |
| 1360 |
First Cologne fair ordinance. |
| 1355 |
Confirmation of Staple Rights by Emperor Charles IV. Cologne's citizens control
trade on the Rhine.
|
| 1288 |
Battle of Worringen, Cologne becomes a free city. |
| 1248 |
Laying of the foundation stone of Cologne Cathedral under Archbishop Konrad of
Hochstaden.
|
| 1180 |
Third extension of the city. With approx. 40,000 inhabitants, Cologne is the largest city
in the Empire.It is protected by a new city wall.
|
| 1164 |
Transfer of the remains of the Three Magi from Milan to Cologne. |
| about 950 |
First extension of the city to the Rhine. |
| 881 |
Normans plunder the city. |
| 870 |
The Carolingian Cathedral is completed. |
| about 800 |
Emperor Charlemagne raises the bishopric of Cologne to the status of an archbishopric. |
| about 460-510 |
Cologne is integrated into the kingdom of the Ripuarian Franconian kings (today France and
West Germany).
|
| about 310 |
Emperor Constantine builds a bridge over the Rhine in Cologne, the military fortress Deutzis
built on the right bank of the Rhine.
|
| 50 A.D. |
At the request of his wife, Empress Agrippina, who was born here, Emperor
Claudius grants the settlement city rights. The town is given the name »Colonia Claudia
Ara Agrippinensium« (CCAA). Via interim versions (Cöllen, Cöln) the subsequent name
of Köln developed.
|
| 38 B.C. |
Probable foundation of »oppidum Ubiorum« following the resettlement of the Ubi
on the leftbank of the Rhine by Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa.
|
| about 300 B.C. |
The Teutons reach the Lower Rhine and expel the Celts who had settled there. |
| about 3000 B.C. |
Makers of band ceramics settle in the Cologne region. |
Rome's imperial governor resided here and the city quickly developed into one of the empire's most important trade and manufacturing centres north of the Alps. The Romans also brought Christianity to Cologne and it quickly became a diocesan town.
Following the confusion of the transitional period in which the city came under the rule of the Franks, Charlemagne founded the archbishopric of Cologne in 785. The Archbishop of Cologne, one of the most important feudal lords in the Holy Roman Empire, became Chancellor for Italy (11th C.) and Elector (14th C.). In the Middle Ages the city experienced a new heyday; from around the 12th to the 15th Century it was the most populous and one of the richest cities in the German-speaking world.
Since 1288 and their military victory over the archbishop and ruler of the city, the citizens of Cologne took political and economic power into their own hands, even though Cologne's status as a free imperial city was only confirmed de jure in 1475. In 1388 the citizens established the first municipal university.
Period of prosperity
Cologne quickly played a leading role as a member of the Hanseatic League and a centre of commercial fairs.
Cologne's unique churches, the remains of its city walls and numerous civic buildings (town hall, Gürzenich, Overstolzenhaus and many more) as well as countless works of art are living proof of the riches and the devoutness of »Hilligen Köln« (Holy Cologne).
Following the discovery of the New World, the introduction of new forms of business and trade routes and the emergence of the nation states in Europe, Cologne experienced an economic decline lasting into the 19th Century. The city's political power also waned; in 1794 Cologne was occupied by French revolutionary troops and in 1815 became a part of the kingdom of Prussia. With the industrial revolution, the opportunities of which were quickly recognized and taken by the city, with the gradual incorporation of large parts of the region around it; with prudent communal politics under Prussia and later the German Reich, favoured by the newly-awakened national enthusiasm for Cologne's mediaeval past, a powerful new revival of the city began, a revival which continues today – despite the terrible consequences of two World Wars.
Cologne today
Cologne presents itself today, against the background of its long and chequered history, as
• an art and trade fair city of world class
• a key centre of transport and business in Western Europe
and last but not least, a vital, charming city in which its great past and the present, commerce and culture create a fascinating blend and where the people – not only at the famous Carnival – like to laugh and to live and let live.
It comes, therefore, as no surprise that the city regularly attracts more visitors: Cologne Cathedral is the most-visited building in Germany. The old Roman saying is confirmed once more:
»Anyone who has not seen Cologne, has not seen Germany«. Because there is an amazing amount to see in Cologne.
Timeline:
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