Cologne Germany Day 9

Checked onboard our Riverboat late yesterday.  It's called the Avalon Waterways Expression.  See photos below.  We started in Amsterdam yesterday, and when we got up today, we were in Cologne, Germany. Our first leg of the journey down the Rhine has begun! 

Avalon Expression

View from bed

Deck

There are a number of things to do and sites to see in the fourth largest city in Germany, but the highlight of Cologne is its Cathedral.  Like many churches in this part of the world, the Cathedral at Cologne was constructed on the site of an earlier place of worship dating back to the 4th century.  The cathedral was built over a 632 year stretch,  so it contains gothic elements from its early construction period in 1248-1473 like flying buttresses which support soaring spires, gargoyles and rib-vaulted ceilings.  The partially completed structure would wait until 1870 to be completed.  Unlike Notre Dame, the spires remained true to their Gothic inspiration but were constructed of 17th century materials, namely steel.  (Note: Notre Dame was devastated by a fire earlier this week) Finally, in 1880, the cathedral was finished!! Then came WWII... the cathedral became a navigational aid for the RAF which was sent to bomb the city 262 times!! The most notable bombing took place on the night of May 30; the RAF finally left the city in rubble and the church was hit with 14 arial bombs.  But when the dust settled, aside from a few shrapnel chips in the walls, the cathedral was still standing tall.
After several hours of exploring the outside and inside of the cathedral we walked a few blocks to the city's hub. Interestingly, many of the stores are American, from Dunkin Donuts to the Foot Locker, the city seems to enjoy American culture...and Americans seem to like German culture.  We had dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe and our host was from CA, and our server from Seattle.

Cologne Cathedral

Inside cathedral

Entrance to Cathedral

Cathedral spires

Fun Statue in Cologne square

Gargoyle