Historical Archive with the Photo Archive of the Rhineland

The Historical Archive is the city's memory and one of the largest city archives in Germany. It contains countless original documents from over 1000 years of Rhenish history. Manuscripts by Albertus Magnus, Jacques Offenbach, Giuseppe verdi, Konrad Adenauer and Heinrich Böll are also archived.

When the building collapsed more than 10 years ago, it presented the historians with an unprecedented task. Every single leaf had to be cleaned and returned to its order. Only then was it possible to use them again. Some of the photos and plans suffered severe damage and are still being painstakingly restored.

In 2021, the modern new building on the Eifelwall was opened and its rooms offer a pleasant atmosphere for exploring the old treasures and documents. It is a source of information for researchers, but all citizens* who are interested in Cologne's history are also welcome.