The white tower
The handsomest of Cologne's four surviving gates — the royal southern entrance.
Raimond Spekking — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Superbass — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Superbass — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Superbass — CC BY-SA 4.0
The Severinstorburg is one of four surviving gates of Cologne's medieval wall, and the handsomest: a stately white thirteenth-century tower that was the city's southern entrance, through which kings and processions passed for centuries — and through which the quarter's brides still walk on their wedding day for luck. Its real value is as the gate of the "Veedel": the Severin quarter behind it is Cologne's authentic working neighbourhood — a long street of cafés, old bakeries and small shops beyond tourist prices and tourist pace, called the Vringsveedel by its people with pure local pride. Stand under the arch, take the picture, then walk the street south to lunch where the city itself eats. It is a short walk from the chocolate harbour and its two museums — so the southern circuit connects naturally.
The handsomest of Cologne's four surviving gates — the royal southern entrance.
Severinstrasse with its cafés and bakeries — Cologne as its people live it.
The quarter's lively square before the gate — sunny cafés and local life.
Chlodwigplatz, 50678 Cologne
UlrepforteThe Ulrepforte is a thirteenth-century stone gate, a surviving piece of Cologne'9 minutes walk4.6
RheinauhafenA narrow strip of ground running some two kilometres along the Rhine south of th10 minutes walk4.6
German Sport & Olympic MuseumIn an old customs warehouse on the Rhine lives Germany's national sports museum:14 minutes walk4.4
Cologne Chocolate MuseumThe Cologne Chocolate Museum is a glass building on a small peninsula reaching i15 minutes walk4.5
The Malakoff TowerThe Malakoff Tower is a massive round stone tower standing at the entrance to Co16 minutes walk4.3As part of the southern loop, yes: chocolate harbour, then the gate, then lunch in the quarter — a three-hour arc showing you another Cologne. As a lone sight it is a fine photo and five minutes.
Quarter tradition has couples pass the gate on their wedding day for St. Severin's blessing — a wedding party under the arch on a summer Saturday is a real possibility, and the passers-by's applause is part of the rite.
Severinstrasse itself: venerable bakeries and small kitchens of many cuisines at residents' prices. The golden rule: join whichever queue holds locals — this street doesn't flatter.