Cold Cold Cologne

1/22/19

Today, we visited Cologne.  The weather was less than agreeable for our trip, as most of the day was in the twenties and windy. Fortunately, I had layered up considerably that morning, but it was still a very cold day. After the short train ride from Bonn Central Station to Cologne, we were immediately greeted by the awe-inspiring Dom of Cologne. This cathedral, which was built over a six-hundred year period in a Gothic style, is supposedly home to the remains of the three wise men, some of the most famous catholic relics in the world. With its many spires, three towers, and imposing height, it is truly one of the most beautiful structures I have ever seen in my life, surpassed only by the Duomo of Florence. We were treated to a walking tour of the city and lunch at a local restaurant. Afterwards, we had the opportunity to tour the old Gestapo headquarters. While inspiring to see the German people’s commitment to remembering the past so it is not repeated, it was very somber and heartbreaking to learn of the many atrocities committed by the secret police in that building during the Nationalist Socialist regime. I think there is a lot to learn from the German people’s commitment to taking responsibility for their role in World War 2 and their dedication to ensuring that nothing similar happens again. After the tour, we then headed to the Dom, where we were led up an elevator and stairs, through narrow passageways and along ledges to explore the cathedral and appreciate its architecture and views of the city. Despite the cold, this was my favorite experience of the day. A short train ride later, and we were back in Bonn and ready to face another day of classes.