The Kolumba is a modernized museum with a piece of history. Go for the Roman ruins, but stay for the modern art, architectural marvel of a building, and experience of really a one of a kind museum. We visited on a Monday (where most museums in Germany are closed) and the museum was far from packed. Definitely a plus and experience-enhancer!
Kolumbia was not on our list, but along our meandering path, we found a wall that looked like it was built on an ancient foundation. We meandered further, into the free section where we could see that archaeology revealed life back to Roman occupation. It lured us further into the section where we were willing to pay admission fees to see more archaeology realign layers of civilization: Roman occupation dwellings layered over with Medieval structures and than a parish church not far from Cologne Cathedral. All of this was revealed by the British bombing of central Cologne in 1942. Rebuilt is a breathtaking museum that houses contemporary art fused with classical art exhibition. The rooms go on forever, and there are quiet places to absorb and be absorbed into art installations. No didactic panels, which suits me just fine, and the small exhibition catalogue is German only. This is one of the most outstanding conversations between antiquity and contemporary life. Don't miss it.
We are not fans of modern art in general, but this entire place is such an experience that we couldn't help but enjoy it.The ruins of the old church are the highlight, so wonderfully encapsulated in a modern building whose lighting design makes the walk along the boardwalk and spiritual and artistic experience. I would have been happy if this was the only thing to see.The rest of the museum blends the old and new wonderfully. You'll have a piece of modern art (mostly ugly to my taste) side by side with a medieval treasure. Somehow it all works. It's an open and airy space, not cluttered and you don't feel rushed. Very hard to describe Kolumba, but I am thrilled that we decided to visit.
A beautifully crafted space on the ground floor, made out of the shell of an old cathedral is certainly worth the €5 entrance fee alone but once you are taken up the almost hidden stairs, the place really comes into its own with some wonderful pieces of art.
We would have missed this gem had we not arrived in town for a one day stay and found it to be the only museum open in the city, and even then it was not crowded. We spent about two and a half hours and could have stayed longer. It is not your conventional museum. You have to enjoy intriguing and often hauntingly beautiful and mysterious architectural spaces, punctuated by glimpses of bright cityscapes through large windows; quiet spaces for pausing and reflection; strange juxtapositions of new and old. It is disquieting, a place of beauty haunted by ghosts of destruction. This year's exhibit is provocative, interesting and beautiful. Go slow, find places to sit and meditate.If you like the Biennale in Venice, you will enjoy wandering this space. The world looks just a little different when you leave. We were happy we came on a Monday
The cathedral was badly damaged and renovated in modern way but still respect the traditional and old structure. Great design really.
The Kolumba is a highly specialized, indeed a conceptual, museum just outside the very center of Cologne. Designed by the noted Swiss architect, Peter Zumthor, I have to say that my reaction to the Kolumba is no doubt tainted by Zumthor's initial design for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) which was howled at by critics, as if they were wolves, for its mis-reading of the city and its context. Fortunately, Zumthor has changed that design to one that is more appropriate, if expensive to build.But trying to keep an open mind, I have to acknowledge that the Kolumba has some very good features. Its use and, indeed, resurrection of a ruined church to create a new modern museum is strikingly interesting. But I think it's also important to describe accurately what it is, which is that the museum is more of a conceptual artwork itself than a flexible building for showing art. Just as the architectural idea was to combine the old and new, so is the display of art idea to combine the old and new. This goes only so far before it becomes tedious.Then, there are the minor problems with the building. For a while, we became paranoid and thought that the many museum guards were following us around. But then, we realized that they were in fact warning us not to trip before we stepped into each next room that there was a half-step level change. Isn't the architect or contractor supposed to know that steps are to be of a certain height to keep this from happening? Fortunately, the number of visitors to the Kolumba, based upon what I observed during my visit, is low so the guards can pick each new one out and play, as we say in basketball, man-to-man defense.Now, I don't want to completely bash this place. As noted earlier, it is original and certainly deserves a visit. But it does stir the question: should a museum be more a showcase for the architect than a showcase for the art? Truly, since the Wright's Guggenheim in NYC that question has gone unanswered.
Only 5 euro's to get in, so its a cheap way to fill a few hours, felt like we were being watched closely by the staff but this is only so they can advise you to watch your step entering different rooms as there is a little ledge that could lead to trips. Nice use of space but to be honest we just did not get a lot of the exhibits, maybe its just not my sort of thing. Spent a long time trying to interpret a lot of the exhibits, so much so that when we came to two doors tried to get what the artist was trying to say, turned out we were staring at the toilet doors.
Studying architecture I was so fascinated. Not only by the exhibition, but of course by the building and its history.To go inside the Chapel, then walk above the ruins. Architects Gottfried Bohm and Peter Zumthor did a great job. It's a must to see!
This is a unique experience which I shall not forget.for a long time. The building is simply stunning. I could happily have spent more time here.