Day 9 Cologne – Had a bit of walking to do today. Started at the Nat.Soc. Documentation centre which was the home of the Gestapo up until 1945. Right from the outset you are taken back as you walk through the lower floors and see the cells that prisoners were kept in. The writing and carving onto and into the walls are still preserved and when you read the stories it certainly takes you back. The whole experience is hard to put into words but thank god there are places like this that exist. While it isn’t pretty, in my mind it’s essential to remind us never to repeat the same mistakes (even though at times we certainly try our best). From there it was across the Hohenzollern Bridge and onto the Cologne Triangle building and its observation tower. Brilliant views even if the weather wasn’t that great today. Next it was off over the bridge and while I thought of going to the chocolate museum, I ended up at the German Sports and Olympic museum. Actually, it wasn’t a bad choice in the end as it was really interesting. A stroll back through the old town and Christmas Markets, a Newcastle Brown Ale and then back to the hotel as I have an early start in the morning. Tomorrow it’s off to Berlin.
Pic Link
Europe Dec-Jan 2018 