The fish market is a popular square in the historic city centre. Both tourists and locals meet here to enjoy the view of the Rhine and the rich gastronomic offerings of the neighbouring pubs
As the name suggests, fish, mainly herring - an elementary staple food in a Catholic city - has been sold here since the Middle Ages. This was linked to the right of stacking granted to the city in 1259, which brought even more profit to Cologne's fish trade. The goods transported on the Rhine, including the fish imported from the north, had to be stacked in Cologne for three days and offered for sale to the citizens of Cologne. The "Stapelhaus" on the northern side of the square is still a reminder of this today.
The narrow, colourful, pointed gabled front of houses with the church tower of Groß St. Martin in the background is very characteristic of the square and gives the place a very picturesque atmosphere. The frontage of houses, as well as most of today's old town of Cologne, are essentially a compromise of the post-war period, which provided for the reconstruction of the historic old town centre, with various deviations. This gave the fish market its new "old" charm.
As the name suggests, fish, mainly herring - an elementary staple food in a Catholic city - has been sold here since the Middle Ages. This was linked to the right of stacking granted to the city in 1259, which brought even more profit to Cologne's fish trade. The goods transported on the Rhine, including the fish imported from the north, had to be stacked in Cologne for three days and offered for sale to the citizens of Cologne. The "Stapelhaus" on the northern side of the square is still a reminder of this today.
The narrow, colourful, pointed gabled front of houses with the church tower of Groß St. Martin in the background is very characteristic of the square and gives the place a very picturesque atmosphere. The frontage of houses, as well as most of today's old town of Cologne, are essentially a compromise of the post-war period, which provided for the reconstruction of the historic old town centre, with various deviations. This gave the fish market its new "old" charm.
Good to know
Eligibility
for Groups
for Class
for families
for individual guests
Pet allowed
Suitable for the Elderly
Directions & Parking facilities
The Fischmarkt is located in the historic old town at a distance of 750 metres from Cologne Central Station. The 'Rathaus' stop is the closest stop to the fish market on the Cologne public transport network. It is served by line 5. Various multi-storey car parks are located in the immediate vicinity of the fish market and make it easy to reach by car.
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