Cologne is Germany’s fourth largest city. It’s skyline is dominated by the huge Cologne Cathedral which rises some 515 feet. Construction on the Gothic cathedral started in the mid 13th century but wasn’t completed until the mid 19th. Cologne is famous also for it’s "Kolsch” style beer, which is a hybrid style brewed with top-fermenting ale yeast but then cold-conditioned like a lager. It's lighter than the traditional German pilsner. We had the opportunity to try Kolsh beer at several brauhaus (breweries) as part of a tour.
Cologne was almost totally destroyed during World War II, and the cathedral very heavily damaged. It and many buildings have been restored, but most have been replaced with modern structures.
