You recall your holidays in sunny regions fondly. Magnificent, as always. But just too short, like every year. If only you could take a piece of the Mediterranean back home to Cologne. The collage of blue sky, pastel coloured and white houses, the lush green of the palm trees and cypresses. And especially that southern tranquillity.

These impressions accompany you from the boulevard into the Jakobsviertel. The name, as indicated by the information board, is based on the German name for the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage path, which passes through this quarter. Santiago de Compostela in Spain’s northern Navarro region is at the other end. It makes sense that the homes here are built in Mediterranean styles. The interplay of their colours revives memories. Terracotta-coloured tent roofs interplaying with flat roofs define the image. These homes stand in harmony.

The atmosphere in the young gardens show the discipline, that the residents here have shown towards the Mediterranean flair. Fan palm trees, cypresses and knotted olive trees – which also do well in the temperatures of our regions – immediately entice you to contemplate deck chairs, bikinis, swimming trunks and sunglasses.