The Kölner Philharmonie is one of the most outstanding concert halls in Germany and is located right in the heart of the city - nestled between the cathedral, the Rhine and the Ludwig Museum. Opened in 1986, it shapes Cologne's cultural cityscape with its central location and striking architecture.
Designed by architects Busmann & Haberer, the hall was modeled on an amphitheater. The result is a concert hall that is optimized for acoustics and visibility in every respect: distortion-free sound from every seat, no distracting pillars and a clear view of the stage action for around 2,000 visitors.
A particular eye-catcher is the large concert organ with almost 6,000 pipes, which was manufactured by Klais Orgelbau. With its tonal diversity, it is a central component of concert life.
Around 400 events a year attract around 600,000 guests to the Philharmonie. It is home to the Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne and the WDR Symphony Orchestra, but also offers a program that ranges from classical music, jazz and pop to world music and contemporary performances. This makes the Kölner Philharmonie one of the most versatile and lively cultural venues in Europe.
