Work hard, party harder – A jousting tournament on Marienplatz

Knights’ tournaments are a typical phenomenon from the Middle Ages, aren’t they? What if I told you that even today you can still watch a jousting tournament in Munich twice a day? You probably wouldn’t believe me…

A train station in the middle of nowhere

Germany is known for being punctual—well, unless you’re talking about Deutsche Bahn. Their delays have become a running joke, even internationally. But if you look back in history, things were very different.
In the 19th century, Germany had one of the best railway networks in the world. And in Frankfurt am Main, the biggest station of Europe was opened in 1888. But, there was one problem—it was built way out in the middle of nowhere, far from the city gates. What has happened there?

The 2024 European elections

On June 9, it’s that time of year again: the 450 million citizens of the 27 EU member states will elect the European Parliament. We would like to take this event as an opportunity to take a look at the history of the European Union (EU).

Father’s Day around the world: different traditions and customs

Welcome to an exciting journey of discovery into the diverse traditions and customs of Father’s Day around the world. Each country celebrates this special day in its own way, with cultural characteristics and historical influences shaping the celebrations. In this article, we take you through some of the most fascinating and unique Father’s Day traditions around the world.

Life at the limit – The Limes

I will build a wall. Nobody builds walls better than me,” said Donald Trump during the 2016 election campaign. However, this quote could just as easily have come from the ancient Romans, as they also wanted to prevent “illegal migration” and secure their borders. So they built the Upper German-Raetian Limes in Germany, the second longest archaeological monument in the world at 550 km long. Only the Great Wall of China is longer.

Rich, rich, Jakob Fugger!

Who is the richest person in the world? The CEO of Tesla, Neurolink and Space-X Elon Musk? The founder of online retailer Amazon Jeff Bezos? Or Bernard Arnault, who owns the luxury brands Dior, Louis Vuitton and Moët? Neither! Although these three super-rich people top the Forbes list, there were wealthier business people before them. One of them: Jakob Fugger!

Nomen est omen – The Frankfurt Römer

The Römer: an Italian capital, a garden pot, a wine glass and the town hall in Frankfurt. Did the Romans like to drink Äbbelwoi there while they enjoyed their Tafelspitz with Grie’ Soß and listened to the bells of St. Paul’s Church? No, neither the Roman jar nor the Roman pot have anything to do with the building. Both were invented much later, as the house has existed for over 700 years. So why is Frankfurt City Hall called “Römer”?

1 room, no kitchen, no bathroom – housing shortage in the Golden 20s

Damp rooms, mold on the walls and rising rents – sounds like Cologne 2024? Fiddlesticks, the same problem already existed in the supposedly golden twenties. Hyperinflation, which was many times more dramatic than the current inflation, had caused great social hardship. The global economic crisis of 1929 was to do the rest. Affordable housing in the big cities was scarce and the conditions in which people lived were often catastrophic.

Cologne’s old town before demolition

Don’t worry, the headline has been around for a good hundred years. Although there was hardly any talk of “demolition” at the time. Rather of “old town health” and “old town redevelopment”. But if you want to heal or rehabilitate, you first need a sick patient. And from the point of view of the city planners at the time, there is one: the Martinsviertel. With its narrow alleyways and small squares such as the butter market and the fish market, it was already the “kölsche Hätz” back then. But nobody is sad when they start to demolish the building on a grand scale.

The 8 most romantic corners of Cologne

Cologne, with its rich history, picturesque landscapes and vibrant culture, is a truly romantic place that makes hearts beat faster. The city offers couples in love a variety of places where they can spend undisturbed time together. In this blog article, we present the most romantic places in Cologne that are perfect for celebrating love and experiencing unforgettable moments.

Cologne, the bicycle and the car

Illegal car racing in Cologne – sound familiar? The topic is a perennial issue and has been for a good hundred years: As early as the 1920s, newspapers repeatedly reported on speeders and serious accidents. After all, there was no such thing as a 30 km/h speed limit on Cologne’s roads back then. On the contrary: the car was such a novelty that it initially had no rules to follow. Speed limits for urban areas were just as foreign as traffic signs or even traffic lights. Why?

The future of virtual reality and edutainment – learning in immersive worlds – Testblog

In recent years, virtual reality (VR) has evolved from a futuristic fantasy to an integral part of modern technology. In the education sector in particular, we are experiencing a paradigm shift in how knowledge is imparted and absorbed. VR offers a platform for “edutainment”, a combination of education and entertainment that is both educational and captivating.