Overstolzenhaus, Cologne

The Overstolzenhaus on the Rheingasse has defied the effect of passing time. The Roman patrician's house, which, according to some experts is the best remaining in Germany, is at least the only one of its kind to survive in Cologne and was renovated in the 19th century. It was named after its builder, Werner Overstolz, who constructed it between 1225 and 1230 and himself gave it the name Zur Rheingasse. The house has retained this original name. The owners of the house decorated it in the style of the nobility and knights, with representations of tournaments painted on the inside walls-one of which remains to be seen today. The Overstolzenhaus now houses Cologne's media college.