Wallraf-Richartz Museum

Overview

The Wallraf-Richartz Museum is Cologne's oldest museum, founded in 1824. It holds an outstanding collection of European fine art from the medieval period through the early 20th century, with particular strength in Cologne School Gothic painting and Baroque Dutch masters.

Highlights

• Cologne School: Stefan Lochner's Madonna of the Rose Bower (c. 1440), a jewel of International Gothic.
• Baroque Masters: Works by Rubens, Rembrandt, and Van Dyck.
• Impressionist Gallery: Monet, Renoir, and Liebermann round out the chronological journey.

History

Ferdinand Franz Wallraf bequeathed his art collection to the city in 1824; merchant Johann Heinrich Richartz funded the first museum building in 1861. The current building by Oswald Mathias Ungers opened in 2001.

Visitor Tips

• Start on the top floor with medieval works and descend chronologically.
• Combined tickets available with Museum Ludwig.
• Duration: 1–1.5 hours.