[Sander Marechal]

Now that Felix R. found the mystery shop I was looking for I am planning a day trip in the direction of Koln in Germany with a couple of friends from my WMA group. I'm wondering what we can do and see out there except that shop. I understand that the GDFB warehouse is closed.

Is the city museum housed in the old city armoury any good? From their website I get the impression that it's a general museum, nothing specific to arms and armour, that just happens to be housed in the old Zeughaus.

Any other interesting places to visit near Koln?

[Craig Peters]

It's worth taking a day trip into Aachen from Cologne to see Charlemagne's cathedral.

[Sander Marechal]

[John T Miller]

I've always enjoyed visiting the cathedral - Kölner Dom / Hohe Domkirche St. Peter und Maria. If you're interested in Gothic architecture, you can't find better examples. I'm sure some interesting period effigies will be of interest.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cologne_Cathedral

I haven't been in decades, but it's a fond childhood/young adult memory.

[James Arlen Gillaspie]

The armour in the city museum is worth seeing. You'll get a good laugh at seeing the pauldrons on backwards, unless they wised up since I was there last. There's also a cafe in the fortress overlooking the city; I highly recommend the view from there, at sunset!

[Martin Fischer]

@James: I'm living in Cologne since more than twenty years, but I've never discovered a fortress in my hometown...

@Sander: If you are interested in medieval art, you should visit the Wallraff-Richartz Museum and some churchs (especially the "Knochenkammer" in St. Ursula...). You could also take a look at the parts of the medieval city-wall (Eigelstein, Hahnentor, Ulrepforte, Severinstor etc along the "Ring"(-street).

There are some weapons and armour in the "Zeughaus"(-museum, not the shop in Euskirchen), but not much (the most of it is from the Renaissance).

You have to (!) visit one of the "Kölsche Brauhäuser" to "enjoy" the "galant" service of the "Köbesse" and drink gallons of "Kölsch" - and don't forget to try "Halve Haan", "Himmel un Ääd" or better original "Sauerbraten" (it's from horse).

You could also make a trip to the fortress of Zons (it's just 25 minutes from Cologne and it's the only town of the region with intact medieval walls).

Have a nice weekend!

Regards

Martin

[Sander Marechal]

Thanks for the tips so far!

[James Arlen Gillaspie]

OOOPS! My very bad! I was thinking of the fortress above Koblenz. Boy, I can't take myself anywhere anymore...