Kolumba is the art museum of the Archdiocese of Cologne. Founded in 1853 as the Diocesan Museum of Cologne, it has been known as “Kolumba” since 2004, a name that refers to its new home. The long-awaited new building in downtown Cologne has been open since September 15, 2007.
A triad of location, collection, and architecture. Two thousand years of Western culture can be experienced in one building. In art, with works from late antiquity to the present day. In architecture, in the interplay between the war ruins of the late Gothic church of St. Kolumba, the chapel “Madonna in the Ruins” (1950), the unique archaeological excavation (1973–1976), and the new building designed by Swiss architect Peter Zumthor.
Kolumba, the museum of contemplation, offers an open invitation to engage with life transformed into art. All considerations regarding architecture were brought into relation with this concept during the planning and construction phase. Since the opening of the new building, the museum concept has been in a state of constant development.
The “living museum” does not distinguish between permanent collections and temporary exhibitions. Instead, it exploits the fluid quality of the architecture and works with the possibilities of simultaneity and juxtaposition that characterize Peter Zumthor's building. Kolumba displays works mainly from its own collection in changing contexts on an annual basis. With the exception of a few artworks that were created specifically for the location or are always on display as identifying works, a new selection of works is presented each year on September 15. Special exhibitions and artistic interventions complement and change the context of this collection presentation. Characteristic of the almost private atmosphere are the absence of object labels and the coexistence of the works independent of chronological, stylistic, or media contexts. The presentation always attempts to realize the presence of the artistic works.
