Overview

Koelnmesse GmbH is an international trade fair and exhibition centre located in Cologne, Germany. With around 80 trade fairs and over 2,000 conferences each year, it ranks among the country’s largest trade fair organisers. Its exhibition floor area of roughly 284,000 square metres makes it the third largest such venue in Germany by area.

History

Cologne has hosted organised trade and exhibition activity on the Rhine for many centuries, and the modern exhibition grounds developed the city’s long-standing role as a commercial crossroads of western Europe. Over the course of the 20th and 21st centuries the site grew into an extensive complex of exhibition halls serving an international calendar of fairs.

What you see

The complex consists of large exhibition halls, conference facilities and open grounds laid out beside the Rhine. The scale of the floor area allows several major fairs and thousands of conference sessions to run across the year. Functional, large-span architecture defines the halls, designed to be reconfigured for varied exhibitors.

Cultural significance

As one of Germany’s leading trade fair organisers, Koelnmesse is a hub for international commerce and industry gatherings. Its calendar of fairs draws exhibitors and visitors from around the world to Cologne.

Practical information

Located in Cologne, Germany. Opening times depend on the individual fair or event in progress. Check the official website for the current calendar and visitor information.

Getting there

The grounds are served by Cologne’s public transport network, including S-Bahn and regional rail connections, and are accessible from Cologne city centre and the wider Rhine-Ruhr region by road and rail.

Sources & resources

• Koelnmesse on Wikipedia
• Cultural Heritage Online