Cologne Cathedral, Germany, Travel, COVID Travel

Cologne Cathedral


This incredible Catholic Cathedral was first built in 1248 and in its pre COVID days Wiki says that the cathedral had an average of 20,000 visitors a day!! One of the most visited churches in the world I am thrilled I was able to visit with my daughter Adaline without huge crowds. While we couldn't go inside this trip, it was still amazing to see the building and explore a little but of the surrounding area. Which included the Hohenzollern Bridge Love Locks.

Gothic spires and intricate architectural details of the Cologne Cathedral against a cloudy sky.
Wide view of the magnificent Cologne Cathedral with its twin spires reaching towards the sky.
Detailed view of Gothic architecture and flying buttresses on the Cologne Cathedral facade.
Tall stained glass windows with Gothic tracery and blue tint at Cologne Cathedral.
Towering spires and ornate stonework of Cologne Cathedral with scaffolding visible.
View of Cologne Cathedral's Gothic entrance with stone steps and arched doorways.

Hohenzollern Bridge Love Locks

The entire length of Hohenzollern Bridge is covered in padlocks of all different shapes and sizes. Each lock signifying love It is said that a couple in love, locks their lock on the bridge and throws the key into the river below. This tend only started in 2008. I figured it had been going on much longer since I had found a lock with 1996 on it, but its a fairly new trend. The bridge has an estimated 40,000 locks attached to it. Sometimes the locks need to be removed because the added weight may damage the bridge infrastructure. Adaline wants to come back and add our Vogel family lock to the bridge.

Cologne Cathedral towers behind a bridge covered in thousands of love locks.

We look forward to coming back with the whole family to explore more of the amazing views, treats, and adventures Cologne has to offer!

Close-up of a heart-shaped padlock among many colorful locks.
Love locks displayed on metal railings with colorful padlocks of various sizes.
A winter scene by a love locks bridge in Cologne with the cathedral spires visible in the background.
Colorful love locks densely attached to bridge railing creating a romantic wall of memories.
A joyful winter moment at the Cologne love locks bridge with cathedral spires in background.
View of the Hohenzollern Bridge in Cologne with love locks and train crossing.
A scenic view of Cologne Cathedral and bridge with love locks on a winter day.
Close-up detail of colorful love locks attached to bridge railing in Cologne.
Thousands of colorful love locks on bridge railing with Cologne Cathedral spires in background.
Winter scene at a playground with bare trees and urban buildings in background.