Germany at a Glance

58 Christmas Market at the Cologne Cathedral Christmas music, arts and crafts, toys, decorations and the scent of the Christmas bakeries create a wonderful atmosphere. It is not just children's eyes that light up when glassblowers demonstrate their art, and the aroma of mulled wine, hot chestnuts and gingerbread fills the air. The Christmas market in front of the famous Cologne Cathedral offers 160 pavilions with more than 70 artists which invite to a Christmas ramble. It is certainly the most imposing among the Cologne Christmas markets. There are no usual alleys, but the way leads all around through the uniformly looking booths which writhe like a snail on the place. The 20 meter high Christmas tree is the tallest in the Rhineland. A must see for everyone, who visits Cologne during the holiday season. • www.koelnerweihnachtsmarkt.com Chocolate Museum Opened in 1993, the chocolate museum is located in Cologne's former harbor. The building has been designed in the shape of a ship's prow in reference to this maritime location. Architect Ernst Eller constructed the building almost entirely out of glass. Visitors can drink from the warm chocolate fountain and try out the home-made chocolate produced in the factory. • www.schokoladenmuseum.de 2 3