In its heyday from 1000 to 1550, Cologne was one of Europe‘s leading art centres with 40 000 inhabitants. Today, the master- pieces stemming from this creative period are now returning to the city and will be on exhibit with 60 works from the museum‘s own collection. The Museum Schnütgen will be presenting great works from Cologne‘s best period in a special exhibition. Many of these works of art have not been seen in Cologne for many decades, others even for centuries. On exhibit are precious wooden and stone sculptures, richly detailed treasures of book illumination and ivory carving, fine textiles as well as valuable pieces of stained glass and panel paintings, all spanning from the Romanesque and Gothic periods to the Early Renaissance. The exhibition examines the significance of Cologne‘s artistic work, the world of its artists and their patrons.