Refurbishment of municipal theatres and development of interim venues
Cologne will reopen the iconic Municipal Opera and Theatre at Offenbachplatz. The heritage listed buildings from the 1950s, designed by Wilhelm Riphahn, are currently undergoing extensive refurbishment and will soon feature state-of-the-art stage technology. In addition to the reopening, the interim venues on the right bank of the Rhine will continue to operate as important cultural spaces. These venues will be available for the new dance division of the Cologne theatre company, independent galleries and artists and musical theatre performances.
The construction of the MiQua. LVR-Jewish Museum in the Archaeological Quarter Cologne
A new museum, ‘MiQua. LVR Jewish Museum in the Archeological Quarter of Cologne’, will be constructed underneath in Cologne’s town hall square.
A 600 metre long gallery will be constructed underneath the town square, with a permanent exhibition showcasiing significant archaeological evidence from the history of the city and the Rhineland will highlight three major heritage sites: the Roman Praetorium (part of the UNESCO-World Heritage “Lower German Limes”) the medieval Jewish Quarter; and the Goldsmiths’ Quarter.
Above ground, a new museum building on the square, will include a permanent exhibition dedicated to Jewish history and culture in Cologne, from 1424 to the present day. Temporary exhibitions will explore other aspects of the region’s 2,000-year history.
Refurbishment of the central library and interim location in the pedestrian zone
In 2024, the refurbishment of the central library on Neumarkt will begin. The project will modernize the building’s technical equipment and improve its energy efficiency, while also introducing a new interior design concept for the library, which first opened in 1979.
To ensure that library services continue during the refurbishment, the library will temporarily relocate to a space on Cologne’s main shopping street. This interim location will serve as a public, non-commercial facility that attracts high visitor traffic, benefiting both the library’s patrons and the local shopping area.
Through this project, the city administration aims to enhance the quality of life and shopping experience in Cologne. The library will continue to serve people of all ages and contribute to the regeneration of the surrounding area.
Development of a new cultural district: The Via Culturalis
Cologne is planning a new cultural quarter honoring the city’s rich historical roots. The cultural quarter will stretch 800 metres between Cologne Cathedral in the north and the Romanesque church of St Mary in the Capitol in the south, and feature ecclesiastical, cultural, and artistic landmarks including the Modern Art Museum, Museum Ludwig; the Philharmonie; and the Roman-Germanic Museum.
The Via Culturalis will be more than just a collection of sites; it will be a journey through Cologne’s 2,000-year history. Visitors will experience both underground and above-ground traces of the city’s past, all within this vibrant cultural corridor.
