Domplatte, Cologne

Went there today to visite the Edward Hopper exhibition. Despite this temporary exhibition, only till 9 January, you can see many other interesting art works.

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The Domplatte is the square in front of the Dom. When we went there exactly a month before Christmas, there was a Christmas market, which to me seemed to be the most beautiful Christmas market amongst all that I had seen in bonn, Lübeck, Düsseldorf but ofcourse not Hamburg. The square is a good place to hang about with friends.

During the 4 weeks before Christmas, Cologne hosts one of the nicer German Christmas-Markets. Actually, there are several separate ones on the larger inner-city squares. The nicest one must be the one right under the Dom, with the added pro that the Früh Brewery House isn't too far away either if you need to warm yourself up.

There also is a mediaeval Christmas Market at the Chocolate Museum, might be very worth checking out!

The Domplatte, the square in front of the cathedral, has always attracted chalk painters. Here you see a portrait of Morzart.
Not only painters but also artists and skaters make this square an amusing place.
I spend several minutes sitting on a bench just watching the people.

The domplatte is one of the best skateboarding spots I know. Go there and have fun. You'll find cool curbs, lots of stairs, nice obstacles and a lot of skilled skateboarders. You shouldn't miss the curb right across from the Cologne Cathedral and the Museum curb. But be careful, as there are a lot of tourists running around. And you shouldn't skatebaord when it's getting dark, as the polic may come - there are hotels very close which might complain about the noise.

Also on Domplatte you will find a cross which looks like a monument. I bet a lot of people coming out of the tourist information pass by it and don't realise what it is: The actual replica of the cathedral's top cross. Its size makes you realise once again how big the cathedral is when the "small" cross on top is that huge!

Around the cathedral there's a lot of concrete which isn't exactly beautiful. But buskers, skaters and artists of all kind make this huge square called Domplatte an amusing place really. I could spend hours sitting here just watching the mixture of people - locals and tourists - here. See my travelogue for more!

An inspired artist at work. I must say she's very good. Sometimes, I do wonder what's the motivation & driving forces behind these upcoming artists. An expression of the Self? A dream to fulfil? Or just a desire to be different? Or perhaps, all of the above & more... Next time, if you've a chance, try talking to them & find out. We are always in a rush & we missed out the most beautiful moments that touched others...

This is a very interesting kind of street music. I must say people do make up the place. Without this, Cologne Cathedral would have just been another cathedral. Sometimes, the most insignificant things in life are the most memorable. Amazing!!!

Gasthaus am Dom - is right opposite the Cologne Cathedral. I really don't know much more about but I was enjoying the facade when I took the photo.