Cologne City Hall
Historisches Rathaus
One of Germany’s oldest city halls, with a Renaissance portal and a Gothic tower covered in statues as its highlights.
Cologne’s historic City Hall is one of the oldest documented town halls in Germany, with more than 800 years of history. The Renaissance portal on the square side was built in the mid-16th century. The Gothic tower is 61 m tall, and its outer walls are lined with 124 statues of famous Cologne figures. Beneath the tower, the “Platzjabbeck” head clock sticks out its tongue on the hour, a favorite small surprise for visitors. The square in front of City Hall is under construction for the underground MiQua Jewish Museum and archaeological site, so the area is fenced off. The exterior can be visited free of charge, while the interior is only open on specific guided tour days.
Opening hours
Exterior open all day; interior only on specific guided tours
Nearby sights
- Wallraf-Richartz Museum
- Farina Fragrance Museum
- Cologne Old Town & Great St. Martin
- Früh am Dom
- Christmas Market at Cologne Cathedral
- Museum Ludwig
- St. Maria im Kapitol
- Cologne Cathedral