Cologne (Köln)

Cologne Cathedral stands as a pinnacle of Gothic architecture, drawing 6 million visitors annually. Completed in 1880, it held the record as the world's tallest structure from 1880 to 1884 at 157 meters, surpassing the Washington Monument of that era. Unlike the more compact Dresden, Cologne offers a sprawling medieval center with 12 Romanesque churches and a vibrant Carnival tradition that attracts 1.5 million participants each year.