The Malakoffturm is a striking 19th-century tower located in Cologne’s Rheinauhafen district, originally built in 1855 as part of the city’s Prussian fortifications. Named after the Malakoff fortress in Crimea, the tower reflects the military architecture of its time, with its robust round structure and crenellated top evoking a sense of strength and vigilance. Over the years, the Malakoffturm has transitioned from a defensive outpost to a symbol of urban renewal, now standing amidst modern architecture and the revitalized harbor area. Today, it serves as a distinctive landmark and houses a restaurant, offering visitors panoramic views of the Rhine and the surrounding cityscape. Its blend of historical character and contemporary use makes it a compelling destination for those interested in Cologne’s layered past and dynamic present. Whether admired from the riverside promenade or explored up close, the Malakoffturm remains a testament to the city’s evolving identity.
Cologne Germany
Malakoffturm is located at Am Leystapel, at the entrance to the Rheinauhafen harbour in central Cologne, just around 1 km from the main railway station and within easy walking distance along the Rhine river. This historic neo-Gothic tower, dating from the mid-19th century, is right beside the popular Chocolate Museum and near the Rhine promenade. The Schokoladenmuseum tram stop and Heumarkt interchange are close, served by tram lines 1, 5, 7, 9 and bus routes including 106, 132, and 133. Nearby, you'll find the marina, festival and open-air venues, restaurants, breweries, lecture and reading events, and museums such as the Chocolate Museum and exhibits, as well as churches like St. Maria Lyskirchen. The area is lively with cafés, a terrace at the tower itself, and offers walking and cycling routes along the scenic riverfront.
Museum
Roman-Germanic Museum
Museum
Wallraf-Richartz Museum & Fondation Corboud
Museum
Schnütgen Museum
Museum
Museum für Angewandte Kunst
Museum
Museum für Ostasiatische Kunst
Museum
Domschatzkammer
Museum
EL-DE Haus
Museum
Cologne City Museum
Museum
Fragrance Museum
Museum
German Sports and Olympic Museum
Museum
Odysseum
Museum
Cologne Carnival Museum
Museum
Cologne Chocolate Museum
Museum
Puppenmuseum
Museum
Radio Museum Köln e.v.
Museum
Kolumba
Museum
Medizinhistorisches Museum Köln
Museum
Jüdisches Museum im Archäologischen Quartier Köln
Museum
Rhenish Industrial Railway Museum
Museum
Rail museum Thielenbruch
Museum
Biermuseum
Pub
Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum
Museum
Käthe Kollwitz Museum
Museum
National Socialism Documentation Center of the City of Cologne
Museum
SK Stiftung Kultur
Gallery
Sammlung Zander
Museum
Dom Treasury
Museum
Das Museum des Schmerzes und der Liebe
Museum
Römisch-Germanisches Museum im Belgischen Haus
Museum
Schauspiel Köln
Theatre
Theater im Bauturm
Theatre
Senftöpfchen-Theater
Theatre
Horizont Theater
Theatre
Hänneschen-Theater
Theatre
Gloria-Theater
Theatre
Scala Theater Köln
Theatre
Theater Tiefrot
Theatre
Urania Theater
Theatre
Theater in der Filmdos
Theatre
Gallery Ehren Art
Gallery
30works Galerie
Gallery
Galerie Mensing Cologne
Gallery
Galerie Zander Susanne
Gallery
Galerie Timeless Art
Gallery
Philipp Von Rosen Galerie
Gallery
Van der Grinten Galerie
Gallery
Galerie Biesenbach
Gallery
Cologne Cathedral
Cathedral
Kranhäuser im Rheinauhafen
Tourist attractions
Flora und Botanischer Garten Köln
Botanical Garden
Fort X
Fortress
Volksgarten Köln
Park
Rheinpark
Park
Forstbotanischer Garten und Friedenswald
Botanical Garden
Römerbrunnen
Tourist attractions
Exhibition Tower
Tourist attractions
Cologne Zoo
Zoo
Hahnentor
Historical Landmark
Edith Stein Denkmal
Monument
Petrusbrunnen
Historical Landmark
Hiroshima-Nagasaki-Park
Park
Equestrian monument to King Frederick William III of Prussia
Tourist attractions
Friedenspark Cologne
Park
Willi-Ostermann-Brunnen
Tourist attractions
Time Ride
Tourist attractions
Equestrian Statue of Kaiser Wilhelm II
Statue
Heinzelmännchenbrunnen
Cultural landmark
Old Market Cologne
Square
Römerturm
Historical Landmark
Romans' Northern Gate
Historical Landmark
Rheinboulevard
Observation deck
Ulrepforte
Historical Landmark
Cologne View
Tourist attractions
Great St. Martin Church
Church
Pegel Köln
Tourist attractions
Bastei Köln
Tourist attractions
Kaskaden
Tourist attractions
Basilica of St. Gereon
Church
Hohenzollern Bridge
Bridge
Stadtwald
Park
Schloss Arff
Castle
Trödel- und Antikmarkt an der Rheinpromenade
Market
Flohmarkt an der Galopprennbahn
Market
Flohmarkt & Antikmarkt Kölner Altstadt
Market
Flohmarkt RheinEnergieStadion
Market
Flohmarkt an der Südbrücke
Market
St. Maria im Kapitol
Church
Roonstraße Synagogue
Synagogue
Basilica of St. Kunibert
Church
Schmitz Column
Historical Landmark
Jan von Werth Monument
Monument
Forstbotanischer Garten Köln
Park
Beethovenpark
Park