Cologne ^25.06.09

Haiku time? Haiku time!

Cables stretch like lines,
stories hang in silent air—
Cologne breathes below.

About the “Kölner Seilbahn”

The Kölner Seilbahn, or Cologne Cable Car, is an aerial cableway that crosses the Rhine River in Cologne, Germany. It first opened in 1957 and is considered the first cable car in Europe to cross a major river. The route connects the Rheinpark on the right bank of the river with the area near the Cologne Zoo and the Flora Botanical Garden on the left bank. The ride provides sweeping views of the city skyline, the Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom), and the river itself, making it a popular attraction for both tourists and locals.

The cable car typically operates seasonally, from spring through autumn, and has been modernized over the years to ensure safety and comfort. Each gondola holds up to four passengers, and the crossing takes about six minutes one way. While it’s primarily a leisure ride today, the Seilbahn has also been a backdrop to local history and events. It was temporarily shut down after a widely reported incident in 2017 when a gondola became stuck, requiring a rescue operation. Since then, safety protocols have been further improved.

Architecturally and technically, the Seilbahn is a modest structure but has become something of a nostalgic landmark. It’s part of the broader appeal of Cologne as a city that blends history with casual urban charm, and riding it on a clear day offers a tranquil, almost old-fashioned experience above the bustle of the river and city below.

100 MP Hi-Res downscaled to 25MP
Panasonic G9II
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 35-100mm f2.8
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f2.8-4.0