Museum Ludwig
- Address:Bischofsgartenstraße 1, Cologne
- Hours:Tues - Sun 10am - 12am. Closed Mondays
- Admission:Adults: € 10, Children: € 7
9:02 AM Saturday, May 26
Partly cloudy. Cool.
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The Museum Ludwig, opened in 1976 with a gift of some 350 pieces from the Wallraf-Richartz Museum, which is housed in the same building. While the Wallraf-Richartz exhibited some modern art, the Ludwig was the first museum in Cologne dedicated to contemporary art. Its collection includes pieces by Warhol, Lichtenstein and the largest collection of works by Picasso in the world, many of which were donated or given on personal loan from Pop-Art collectors Peter and Irene Ludwig.
The museum's unique architecture is a series of rounded roofs, giving one the impression of a series of steel waves. It is situated in between the Gothic bombast of the Cathedral of Cologne and the Rhine River, and its elegant, modern design is a stunning contrast to the looming imposition of the Cathedral, even more so given the purposes of both institutions.
Also emerging from the Wallraf-Richartz museum is the Romano-Germanic Museum. now housed in a building east of the Ludwig. This collection of antiquities leads visitors on a journey into the city's Roman heritage, displaying stone, clay and bronze statuary, mosaic fragments and even remnants of architecture.
Latest Reviews All Museum Ludwig Reviews »
The museum appears very attractive at entrance. Once you enter, it is a bit like a maze, as you enter, view all the pieces and exit back at the corridor, following the pieces as you walk along. The pieces are fascinating, especially the ones by Picasso; I would never have thought that I would be able to view the originals of some of Picasso's most significant pieces, such as 'Harlequin with hands folded'. I also liked Weed, painted bronze piece that looked to me like a real plant sprouting from under the wall and I only realised that it was bronze once I touched it. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience and admired the originality and lifelikeness of the statues. There were also interactive stations where you were able to listen to information at a computer, which enhanced the whole experience. The museum gives a whole new insight into modern and contemporary art which is why I would recommend it. Usually, I would not enjoy walking through a gallery of art but visiting this museum gave me a whole new impression on art and its originality. Some of my favourite pieces on display included: The Restaurant Window by George Segal (a statue of two white figures standing by a window), 11 Panes by Gerhard Richter (eleven panes of glass placed in front of one another with a gap in between each one to create a ghostly effect when looked into) and Ctesiphon III by Frank Stella (a magnificent wheel of flourescent shades). The museum is also located very near to the Cologne cathedral.
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The museum appears very attractive at entrance. Once you enter, it is a bit like a maze, as you enter, view all the pieces and exit back at the corridor, following the pieces as you walk along. The pieces are fascinating, especially the ones by Picasso; I would never have thought that I would be able to view the originals of some of Picasso's most significant pieces, such as 'Harlequin with hands folded'. I also liked Weed, painted bronze piece that looked to me like a real plant sprouting from under the wall and I only realised that it was bronze once I touched it. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience and admired the originality and lifelikeness of the statues. There were also interactive stations where you were able to listen to information at a computer, which enhanced the whole experience. The museum gives a whole new insight into modern and contemporary art which is why I would recommend it. Usually, I would not enjoy walking through a gallery of art but visiting this museum gave me a whole new impression on art and its originality. Some of my favourite pieces on display included: The Restaurant Window by George Segal (a statue of two white figures standing by a window), 11 Panes by Gerhard Richter (eleven panes of glass placed in front of one another with a gap in between each one to create a ghostly effect when looked into) and Ctesiphon III by Frank Stella (a magnificent wheel of flourescent shades). The museum is also located very near to the Cologne cathedral.
Continue Reading »Practical Info
There are passes available that get you into the museums at discounted rates. These discounts vary, but generally, one can go to 2 museums in 2 consecutive days, as well as get free bus passage on the first day.
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