(German, Köln)**, a fortified city of Rhenish Prussia, capital of a cognominal government, on the left bank of the Rhine, 45 miles N.N.W. of Coblenz. N. Lat. 50° 56′ 29″, E. Long. 6° 57′ 52″. A bridge of boats, nearly 1400 feet long, connects it with the town of Deutz on the opposite side of the Rhine. Cologne occupies the site of the *Oppidum* or *Civitas Ubiorum*, the chief town of the Ubii, who were settled here by the Romans about 37 B.C. In A.D. 51 a Roman colony was planted in the town by the Emperor Claudius, at the instigation of his wife Agrippina, who was born there. From her it took the name of *Colonia Agrippina* or *Agrippinensis*. It soon became a large and flourishing city, and was the capital of Lower Germany. In the middle ages it was much more populous and wealthy than at present, and was long one of the most important cities of the Hanseatic League. The intolerance of its magistrates in expelling the Jews, Protestants, and others, at different times—and the closing of the Rhine for navigation by the Dutch in the sixteenth century—contributed to its decline. This last restriction was removed in 1837, and since that time the trade of Cologne has much improved. It has a considerable trade in corn and Rhenish wine with Holland, Belgium, and other countries. This proverbially ill-built and filthy town has lately been much improved; many of the old streets have been widened and improved, new streets have been laid out, and the general appearance of the town considerably ameliorated, although much still remains to be done. Among the numerous objects of interest in Cologne is the cathedral, begun in 1248 by Archbishop Conrad of Hochstedt, but still unfinished. It is considered one of the finest and purest Gothic monuments in Europe. According to the original designs, the two principal towers were to have been 500 feet in height, but the most complete is not more than one-third of that elevation. By the munificence of the Prussian government, and by private subscriptions, the works have been prosecuted with vigour, particularly since 1842. The entire length of the body of the church will be 511 feet, and the breadth 231 feet. The choir is 161 feet high; and internally, from the disposition of its pillars, arches, chapels, and beautifully-coloured windows, it resembles a splendid vision. Under a slab in the pavement the heart of Mary de Medici is buried; and in the adjoining side chapels are monuments of the founder and other archbishops of Cologne; and the shrine of the three kings, which is richly adorned with gold and precious stones. Several of the other churches are also interesting, as those of St Ursula, St Mary, St Gereon, and St Peter. This latter church contains the famous altarpiece by Rubens, representing the crucifixion of St Peter. The other public buildings are the town-hall, court-house, exchange, theatre, museum, &c. Cologne is the seat of an archbishopric founded in the eighth century, of the provincial authorities, and of the courts of appeal for the province. The university, founded in 1388, was suppressed during the occupation of the country by the French. There are two gymnasia—one for Catholics, to which is attached a very valuable library, and one for Protestants; an archiepiscopal seminary, for the education of clergymen; normal and commercial schools with public libraries; and numerous literary and scientific institutions. The principal manufactures are cotton yarn and stuffs, hosiery, woollens, silks, velvets, tobacco, soap, &c. Of the well-known Eau-de-Cologne, upwards of a million bottles are annually exported. The walls which surround the town are about seven miles in circuit. The Roman walls may still be traced in parts of the city, and numerous statues, sarcophagi, and other ancient remains, have been found. Pop. (1849) 94,789; of whom 49,457 were males, and 45,332 females; 81,706 Roman Catholics, 11,788 Protestants, and 1286 Jews. The government, of the same name, contains 13 cities, 13 market-towns, and 674 villages; and has an area of 1533 square miles. Pop. (1849) 497,350.