Cologne (German: Köln) is Germany's fourth-largest city and one of its oldest, with more than 2,000 years of history. Founded by the Romans in A.D. 50 as Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium, it grew into one of the most important cities along the Rhine River and remains a major cultural, commercial, and transportation hub. Although much of the city was destroyed during World War II, many historic landmarks have been carefully restored.