It’s the first time she has visited the city on the Rhine River.

Turku and Cologne are twinned, and have been for a long time. This year the two cities are celebrating the fortieth anniversary of their partnership.

Together with her exchange partner from Cologne, Mira Sammler, Saana Heiskanen is on her way to the city centre. Her first destination is Cologne Cathedral. Saana is impressed by its size. At more than 140 metres long and more than 150 metres high, the cathedral is indeed an imposing structure.

During a tour, Saana and Mira hear that Cologne was built 200 years ago by the Romans. Even during Roman times, Christians gathered at the place where Cologne Cathedral now stands. A large font where early Christians were baptised was found behind the cathedral. Still, it took more than six hundred years until Germany’s largest cathedral was completed.

There is also plenty to discover in the neighbouring streets and alleyways. The schoolgirls find out that Cologne is known around the world not only for its cathedral, but also for the original eau de cologne, 4711 cologne. It was produced in a building with the address 4711 Glockengasse – hence the name.

Saana Heiskanen spends the evening at Cologne Philharmonic Hall. She is impressed by the size of the venue. Concerts are held here almost every day of the year – on Sundays and holidays, even two or three. Saana also learns that the Philharmonic Hall offers a wide variety of performances.

The repertoire includes the larger symphonic and chamber music works, but also jazz sessions, folk and pop events and concerts dedicated to less well-known, new and unusual types of music.

Saana Heiskanen says she’ll visit Cologne again. A week hasn’t been nearly enough for her explore the city.