Trip Planner: Europe / Germany / North Rhine-Westphalia / Cologne / Kolumba

Kolumba, Cologne

4.3

#7 of 27 in Museums in Cologne

Specialty Museum · Hidden Gem · Museum

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Built around the ruins of the Gothic Church of St. Columba, which was destroyed in World War II, the starkly modern Kolumba displays the art collection of the Catholic Archdiocese of Cologne. Paintings, drawings, and sculptures from Late Antiquity to the modern era are mixed together, with no informational plaques or chronological or stylistic order. Guests are simply invited to contemplate the oddly discordant space and artwork. The minimalist building, designed by Swiss architect Peter Zumthor, mirrors the art collection within, highlighting the dissonance between modernity and the ancient ruins of war. Highlights include a 12th-century ivory crucifix in Romanesque Rhenish style, an extensive rosary collection, and Jannis Kounellis' Tragedia Civile dating from 1975. Using our custom trip planner, Cologne attractions like Kolumba can form part of a personalized travel itinerary.

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Tours to Kolumba

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Kolumba reviews

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TripAdvisor traveler rating

293 reviews

Google

4.6

By christopherhalk

I went and was limited to what I could see. But from what I could see, I was impressed. Pretty impressive place. Got some great information and pictures.

I went and was limited to what I could see. But from what I could see, I was impressed. Pretty impressive place. Got some great information and pictures. more »
By 293neilk

Walking around the streets just of Schildergasse is a thing I love to do,the different architectural styles amaze me,a mix of modern and old blend seamlessly together,the damage this city sustained...

Walking around the streets just of Schildergasse is a thing I love to do,the different architectural styles amaze me,a mix of modern and old blend seamlessly together,the damage this city sustained... more »

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Google

By Ian Jindal

Exceptional architecture and setting for this niche museum. It has a real character, range and vision, but you will need the English show guide unless your German can cope with the artworld and historic essays. Google translate had a hard time! The interior is minimal but luscious, and the excavated/preserved church foundations are incredible and really well presented. The exhibition was a mix of photography, video, post-modern exploration and ancient manuscripts and diptychs. This is one of my favourite exhibition spaces.

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By Annie The_voyage

Amazing museum, well worth a visit, I especially found the excavations on the ground floor really nicely presented and set up for visitors. There are several floors, so much to see , also nice to see the reading room they have set apart as the guidebook is a very extensive read. Staff very helpful & friendly at reception.

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