Cologne

We arrived in Cologne at mid-day and made our way to the Cologne Cathedral, the Dom. Since 50 BC,  Cologne had been a Roman colony and, through the middle ages, remained a very important city on the Rhine. Started in 1248, the cathedral took over 600 years to finish.  The massive Dom is situated in a huge square and the twin spires dominate the city skyline. Like the Grand Canyon, its immense size cannot really be appreciated until one is next to it or inside it.

The new and the old.   Extensive damage was  done during WWII as a result of bombing raids on the industrial areas around Cologne.  The stained glass windows that were replaced have a more modern design.  

The Ark of the Magi above allegedly contains the bones and clothing of the Three Wise Men.

As amazing and ornate as is the Shrine and all of the other details of the Cathedral, we looked below our feet and were impressed by the beauty of the mosaic floor.

We left the Dom and went to our B&B to check in for the night. While there, we stopped in at the small restaurant attached and, when having dinner, met a retired Lufthansa purser. He was there again the next morning and, after chatting some more, we visited his shop, the Donnerbuchse.

We've never seen so many model trains in one place in our lives!  It was a delight to wander around his store with a little grandson in mind...

Mike and his beagle, Sam, waved goodbye to us and we continued our walk.

It was peaceful walking through Cologne's neighborhoods, far from the madding crowds.

We found tree-lined boulevards

and a gourmet lunch on the terrace of a quiet cafe.

There is no shortage of City Gates, an architectural comment on medieval times.

Finally, with a tired body and sore muscles from all those miles of riding, Sal was glad to find a Thai massage around the corner, most relaxing and therapeutic.