Cologne and Aachen
7th-11th June 2027
Often dismissed as an industrial city whose history was derailed by the devastation of the Second World War, Cologne is in fact a place where the past survives in remarkable richness. Once a Roman settlement and later a flourishing medieval trading centre, it now stands along the Rhine as a vibrant cultural hub and a powerful symbol of postwar restoration. We will explore the city’s historic heart, wandering through the lively squares and narrow streets of the Altstadt to the magnificent gothic Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along the way, we will discover Cologne’s extraordinary artistic and architectural heritage, from its Roman foundations and exquisite Roman glass to the glittering relics and reliquaries of the Carolingian and Ottonian Empires. Paintings will span the intensity of medieval devotion up to the Neo-Gothic revival of the 19th century. We will also consider how Germany’s artists, architects and citizens responded to the destruction of war, rebuilding both pragmatically and imaginatively while preserving the city’s historic character.
A day trip to Aachen, the former imperial residence of Charlemagne, takes us to its magnificent cathedral, the oldest in northern Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At its heart is the Palatine Chapel, inspired by San Vitale in Ravenna and itself a profound influence on the Florentine Baptistery, making it a vital link in the development of European architecture. The coronation church of the Kings of the Germans, it stands as one of the defining monuments of the early medieval world.
Itinerary
Monday 7th June
We will arrive in the early afternoon. Once we’ve settled into our hotel, we will discuss the history of Cologne as we walk around the city. Starting at St. Gereon, which was extended from its Ancient Rome origins in the Carolingian and Early Medieval periods and subsequently restored after the Second World War. We will then head to the St. Maria im Kapitol, the largest Romanesque Basilica in Cologne, famous for its unique trefoil floor plan modelled after the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. After this introduction to the city, we will go for a good supper together near the hotel.
Tuesday 8th June
We will begin our day with a tour of the Cathedral, which has been a World Heritage Site since 1996 and is one of Germany’s most visited attractions, being the tallest cathedral in the world. It is a very impressive example of medieval architecture withstanding time. After lunch there will be time for shopping or independent exploration of the city and, weather permitting, the option to take a relaxing boat trip down the Rhine before dinner in the historic Altstadt.
Wednesday 9th June
Jumping ahead to one of Germany’s great modern masters, Käthe Kollwitz, we will visit one of the best collections of the artist’s work. Just a few minutes stroll away is the Antoniterkirche, where we will see a portrait of Kollwitz, as the face of Ernst Barlach’s Hovering Angel. After lunch we will rewind time again to explore the riches of the Römisches-Germanisches Museum, with its superb collection of Roman glass and exploration of Roman life. Dinner will be near the hotel, allowing us to catch a glimpse of the Dom at night as we walk by!
Thursday 10th June
Travelling to Aachen in the morning, we will visit the Cathedral, at the heart of which is the Palatine Chapel, originally part of Charlemagne’s palace. We will also see the Treasury, home to one of the most significant and valuable collections of medieval church artworks and imperial relics in Europe north of the Alps, including the Bust of Charlemagne and Cross of Lothar. After a splendid, light lunch nearby, we will spend the afternoon strolling through the city, taking in sites such as the Grashaus – the oldest secular building, the medieval town hall (Rathaus), and the Elisenbrunnen. We will return to Cologne in time for dinner in the centre.
Friday 11th June
Our final morning in Cologne will take us to the Schnütgen Museum, world-renowned for its exceptional collection of medieval Christian religious art. Housed partially in the Romanesque St. Cecilia’s Church—one of the city’s oldest buildings—it features exquisite wooden and stone sculptures, precious metalwork, intricate ivory carvings, and rare stained glass from the Rhineland and broader Europe. We will also visit the Kolumba, a museum which brilliantly combines modern architecture with a historic collection; it houses the ruins of St. Kolumba Church that was destroyed in World War II. Although the Wallraf-Richartz Museum is unfortunately closed for refurbishment during our visit, these museums will make up for this in abundance. It is the perfect way to round up our trip. After one final lunch in the heart of the city, we will head to the airport or train station early afternoon to return home.
Further Details
Tutors
Richard Stemp and Cecily Hennessy will lead the trip, both of whom are experts in their field and have led trips for AHA for many years.
Hotel
We will stay at the Excelsior Hotel Ernst, a five-star hotel in the heart of Cologne’s Altstadt. We will be in the hotel’s luxurious grand superior rooms.
https://www.excelsiorhotelernst.com/en/the-hotel/
Travel
We do not book the travel to and from Cologne, thus allowing you to travel to suit your budget, use airmiles, travel from different places or on different dates. However, we recommend buying the following flights with Eurowings:
Monday 7th June EW473 London Gatwick 12.00 – 14.20 Cologne Bonn
Friday 11th June EW474 Cologne Bonn 18:45-19:05 London Gatwick
If you would prefer to travel by train, we suggest the following timings. You can book the whole journey on the Eurostar website:
Monday 7th June London St Pancras Int’l 09:01-12:05 Brussels Midi/Zuid
Brussels Midi/Zuid 13:25-15:15 Köln Hauptbahnhof
Friday 11th June Köln Hauptbahnhof 16:39-18:35 Brussels Midi/Zuid
Brussels Midi/Zuid 20:56-21:57 London St Pancras Int’l
Transport
There will be coach or taxi transfers to meet both the recommended travel arrangements.
Ability
There is quite a lot of walking on this trip, as well as slopes and uneven cobbles. As many of the streets are small you will need to walk from the coach to the churches and museums. As is the case for all our courses, there is a lot of standing while we discuss the works we are looking at.
Lunches and Dinners
Lunches are a set menu of two courses to include drinks. Dinner is by no means compulsory, but we book a table for the group each night at different restaurants and divide the bill equally between everyone. Sometimes these may also need to be a set menu, but we try our best to avoid this. We will adjust the bill for those not drinking alcohol.
Cost
The fees are £2400 which includes accommodation and breakfast, all lunches, transfers for the recommended flight, transport when connected with teaching, entrance fees, tuition, reading lists and local advice. The single occupancy supplement is £240 (double room for single use). Not included are the flights, all suppers, travel insurance. The group will not exceed 16 people and we will divide into two smaller groups wherever possible.
To register
Please complete the online registration form, having read our terms and conditions and pay a deposit of £600 per person via bank transfer once you have received the confirmation email. Please note your place is not confirmed until we have received your deposit.
If you have any queries, please email [email protected] or call
01379 871800 (302)
NB you must buy your own flights.
