In the city of Cologne (German: Köln), Germany

 "Science cannot solve the ultimate mystery of nature. And that is because, in the last analysis, we ourselves are a part of the mystery that we are trying to solve." -- Max Planck

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(in Germany's western state of North Rhine-Westphalia) Cologne (German: Köln) is the the fourth-most populous city of Germany with more than 3.1 million people in the urban region. Centered on the left (west) bank of the Rhine River, Cologne is about 35 km (22 mi) southeast of the North Rhine-Westphalia state capital, Düsseldorf, and 25 km (16 mi) northwest of Bonn, the former capital of West Germany. The city's medieval Catholic Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom) is the tallest cathedral in the world. It is a globally recognized landmark and one of the most visited sites and pilgrimage destinations in Europe. The cityscape is further shaped by the Twelve Romanesque churches of Cologne. The city is also famous for Eau de Cologne, which has been produced in the city since 1709.

+ Cologne, was founded in Germanic Ubii territory in the 1st century CE as the Roman Colonia Agrippina; that name was later dropped (except in Latin), and Colonia became the name of the city, which developed into modern German as Köln. Cologne functioned as the capital of the Roman province of Germania Inferior and as the headquarters of the Roman military in the region until occupied by the Franks in 462. During the Middle Ages the city flourished due to being located on one of the most important trade routes between east and western Europe. Cologne was a free imperial city of the Holy Roman Empire and one of the major members of the trade union Hanseatic League.

+ Cologne was one of the most heavily bombed cities in Germany during World War II. The bombing destroyed most of the city's center. The post-war rebuilding efforts restored major historic landmarks like city gates and churches. Cologne is also the historic, cultural, and economic capital of the Rhineland area. Its people are known for their liberalism and joie de vivre; it’s easy to have a good time with them in the beer halls of the Altstadt (Old Town) or during Carnival.

+ Cologne is quite rich in museums and galleries. These include the Wallraf-Richartz and Ludwig museum complex,; the Schnütgen Museum of medieval ecclesiastical art, the Museum of Oriental Art,and the Rautenstrauch-Joest Museum. It also has three Max Planck institutes. (The annual Rhenish pre-Lenten carnival is celebrated with great ceremony, culminating in the Rose Monday festival before Ash Wednesday.

+ Cologne is the seat of a university and the see of a Roman Catholic archbishop. Its cathedral was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996; it is the city’s major landmark and unofficial symbol.

+ A large proportion of Cologne’s area consists of parkland, woods, lakes, sports facilities, and open areas. On the right bank of the river is the Rhine Park, a large green area adjacent to the KölnMesse, a convention center with halls for fairs and exhibitions.