St. Aposteln Cologne – Colourful frescoes in the old town

I am not usually very fond of churches as I find them cold, but what struck me about St. Aposteln were the frescoes in the three apse ceilings by Hermann Gottfried. These powerful frescoes bring colour and dynamism to the church. St. Aposteln - whose full name in English is the Basilica of the Holy Apostles - is a large Romanesque church dedicated to the 12 Apostles and has 3 organs (concerts are sometimes organised).

Hermann Gottfried was a (glass) painter whose work can be admired in other churches in Cologne: to see some of his paintings, you can visit St. Hubertus or St. Norbert; to see some of his stained glass, you can visit the Great Church of St. Martin, St. Maria Magdalena and Lazarus in the Melaten Cemetery, or St. Ursula.

Nearby is the Peter Heinrichs pipe shop, where Gandalf's pipe was sold the last time I was there. Peter Heinrichs also organises seminars and tastings (e.g. rum and cigar tastings).