Historical Archive with Rhineland Picture Archive

Since September 2021, one of the most modern municipal archives and one of the largest photo archives have been located under one roof at Eifelwall 5 in Cologne. A total of 50 kilometers of shelving in 28 storage rooms hold documents from over 1,000 years of city history, including 60,000 deeds, thousands of manuscripts, hundreds of thousands of files and plans, and millions of photos. All documents relevant to the history of the city can be found here.

Numerous collections and estates of notable individuals complement and enrich the city's heritage. Every year, around 250 meters of shelving space are added to the archive. Photographers from the Rheinisches Bildarchiv (Rhenish Image Archive) are continuously expanding the holdings by documenting works of art in Cologne's museums. The central task is to provide images for private, scientific, and commercial purposes. In addition, collections by photographers with a local connection are preserved.

The archive is therefore the first port of call for all Cologne residents with questions about the city's past and present. The collections can be viewed in analog form in the reading room on site or via the digital offerings on the Internet. The archive's educational department also offers tailored workshops and events for schools. There are many ways to get to know the archive. Regular guided tours give visitors an exclusive insight into everyday life at the archive. Exhibitions and events on a wide variety of topics also take place.