Cologne, situated in the middle of Germany in north-south terms, about 65 km east of the border with the Netherlands, is the oldest major city in Germany and was the biggest city and grandest until the 19th century -- a status still reflected in the scores of spires that serrate its skyline and its massive cathedral.

The name Cologne goes back to the Roman Empress Agrippina, the wife of Claudius Caesar who was born on the Rhine and elevated her "Colonia" to the status of a city in the year 50 AD. The Römisch-Germanisches Museum by the cathedral has an excellent display of the city's Roman roots.

The city is dominated by the impressive gothic architecture of the Colgone Cathedral. Its sheer size demands that any tour of the city starts there. Construction of the cathedral began in 1248 in the French Gothic style, but was put on hold in 1560 when the money ran out and was finally completed by 1880.

It survived World War II, unlike the majority of the city which was flattened, and has been a UN World Heritage Site since 1996. The cathedral, which hosted Pope Benedict XVI and millions of young people for the 2005 World Youth Day, contains the Three Wise Men's bones -- removed from Milan in 1164 as part of the spoils of war. Other examples of ancinet Cologne also survived the allied bombing, mostly in the old city.

From the ashes of World War II, Cologne was born again. And while the modern planners could not live up to its former splendor, the city was blessed with numerous art galleries, museums and entertainment centers, including the Philharmonic Hall, the Musical Dome and the Opera House.

But not all entertainment takes place indoors. Cologne is famous, if not slightly notorious, for its carnival celebrations which mark what is referred to as the fifth season.

At the end of winter and before spring, usually in February, the streets are full of revelers, culminating in the raucous Rosen Monday -- Rose Monday -- procession. Other outdoors merriment includes the Christopher Street Day celebrations, the gay, lesbian and bisexual community's visible show of pride.

Cologne's World Cup stadium is the 45,000 capacity RheinEnergie Stadion which is being completely renovated for the tournament. The stadium will host 5 important games during the World Cup 2006 and the city is due to play host to the World Champions Brazil who have expressed as preference for the city as their base during the championship. Cologne has the biggest Brazilian population in Germany.