Köln vs. Dorf: The Eternal Battle

If you have carried on a conversation with a Düsseldorfer or Cologner – or whatever you call someone from Cologne or Köln or whatever – you will discover quickly that there is an intense rivalry between these two cities.

Both have their virtues. They sit on the Rhine, but on opposite sides. Cologne is bigger, but Düsseldorf is the state capital. Düsseldorf is wealthier, but Cologne feels decidedly more international. Beer, carnival festivities, soccer teams are all fodder for this intense civic competition. 

It's not serious they all say, laughing. But it is, you can tell because it's a passive-aggressive laugh.

What becomes apparent, is that Cologne is the big favourite, while the Dorf is the scrappy underdog. You may insert a passive-aggressive laugh here as well.

Being a polite guy from nice, neutral Canada, I've decided to step in and run a tally between the two cities over an array of categories as I encounter them. There is no concrete methodology, just my admittedly ignorant opinion, which is what this blog is all about.

I will continue to update the score at the bottom of the page:


Köln vs. Dorf – Beer

Cologne has Körsch, which by law is only allowed to be brewed within 50 km of the city (oh, Germany and your rules!). It’s light, crisp, and yummy. If you drink enough of it you feel just swell.

Düsseldorf’s home brew is Altbier. If you walk through the old town in the Dorf, almost everyone is drinking a small tumbler of this stuff. It’s dark and delicious, yet hoppy and filling. It also makes you feel good if you imbibe enough.

Both are served in short glasses, which are replaced quickly by a surly, tray-bearing server – the surliness is mostly tradition, I've been assured, nothing personal. The quick, grumpy service means you’re never stuck with warm beer and you never run out.

They both get a point, because they’re both so debaucherously delicious.

Köln vs. Dorf – Churches

Cologne has a stunning gothic cathedral. It survived Allied carpet bombing in World War II because it was so immense that bomber pilots used it as a waypoint for bombing runs deeper into Germany. 

The Dorf has a cute church near the riverside. Its tower has a twisty roof, which is quirky, but comes up short against the Köln Dom.

Advantage: Cologne.

Köln vs. Dorf – Christmas Markets

Christmas is a big deal in Germany. For one thing, they call it Christmas, not the Holidays or the Festive Season. Then they gather around a bunch of stalls on a street to eat sausage and drink mulled wine.

Cologne’s is not only larger than the dorfy Dorf's market, but the Christmas market in its old town has incredible handmade crafts. Cologne gets the point.


Köln vs. the Dorf – The Two Towers

Every world-class city must have a tower. Toronto? Check. Berlin? Check. Calgary? Surprise! Check. Cologne? Nein! The Dorf is a part of this pantheon of cities with towers, with its Rheinturm. The Dorf wins this round.

 


Result:

Köln    3
Dorf    2