From the moment I first stepped out of the train station in Cologne, I was amazed. When you arrive in this fashion, walk out the door of Koln Hbf and look to the left, and crane your neck all the way up--you're struck immediately by the size and style of the Dom.

What I love about the building is how delicate it looks despite being built of heavy stone. Even from the distance, it has an airy feeling to it, as the two tall towers are hollow-looking. It's fabulous architecture, and if you have the legs or and the will to do it, a climb up one of the towers is very cool. The view of the city isn't spectacular, but to see the architecture up close and the mountains in the distance make it worth it.

The aspe are also noteworthy. The building seems bigger than any cathedral I've been to.

Although you don't really find aout about it in the cathedral itself, the building was heavily bombed during the Second World War. That makes the building even more gorgeous to me.

To make the visit complete, pay the small fee (about $2) to climb the 509 steps to the top of the tower. On the way, you will pass the world´s largest free swinging church bell. It only rings twice a year, but you may be lucky enough to be there when one of the smaller, but still huge, bells rings. Once you reach the top, you will see panoramic views of the whole city and the Rhine River.