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This painting was created in spring 1927 during a trip to Cologne, Düsseldorf and Wuppertal. From a balustrade, Grossberg took aim at the station forecourt: on the right, the magnificent main station building, which perfectly embodies the idea of the station as a '19th-century cathedral'; on the left, the Jesuit church, representing the traditional Catholic faith. However, Grossberg has the cathedral itself behind him: Cologne Cathedral, represented here by the stacked stones of the cathedral workshop. A few cars, a tram and various passers-by can also be seen – the scene exudes the feeling of midday hustle and bustle.

A drawing from eight years later that is housed in the Von der Heydt Museum shows the scene from the same vantage point, albeit with slight changes. The stacked stones of the cathedral workshop have been replaced by a balustrade; the square appears calmer overall; and the green space is missing. The old cast-iron lanterns have been replaced by more modern designs. A red flag hanging motionless also catches the eye. The swastika on it is barely visible.