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Cologne City Hall — House Of The Citizens

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The Cologne City Hall found its first documentary mention as the House of the Citizens in the years between 1135 and 1152.

After acquisition of the status as free realm city the city guilds let erect the city hall tower.

The lategothical tower with its three four-sharp-edged lower and two octagonal upper floors adorn not less than 130 stone statues. Not to forget the famous Platz Jabbeck, a wood-carved grimace, which breaks the muzzle with each hour gong of the tower clock and out-streches its tongue.

Cologne City Hall

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In addition, in 1569, building master William Vernukken erected the Renaissance porch, the so-called Rathauslaube (city hall summerhouse). While the summerhouse remained almost spared in World War 2, the city hall tower was damaged substantially and burned out nearly completely.

From the ruin it became an indication of the reconstruction will of the Cologne citizens.

Well, let's advance to the museums...