November 2013
Hardcore fans know that I came to Czechia in September 2013, and that means Kolin was one of the first towns I visited
Back then I was still into photographing signs that are now invisible to me. Here I clearly noticed the detail of the motorcyclist.
Back then I was still into photographing cathedrals
Squares
And European advertising
What was Kolin for me in 2013?
Firstly, it's the largest town close to Podebrady, 10 minutes by train.
Secondly, there were rumors that there's a shopping center there (seems to exist).
Two things surprised me then: gypsies who asked me what time it was (my first ones) and that the town is completely dead: no people on the streets.
August 2018
Kolin hasn't changed in 5 years, but my knowledge has definitely changed
Firstly, Kolin became my secret investment dream. The thing is that apartment prices back then in Kolin were very low (about 2-3 times cheaper than in Prague).
At the same time, it's a relatively big town, but the main thing...The main thing is that it's, secretly, a HUGE transport hub of Czechia that literally nobody knows about.
A huge number of trains pass through Kolin, and to Prague today you can get without stops in half an hour (Podebrady is closer, but the journey takes almost twice as long)
I remember like it was today that in that year I found a couple of apartments on the website and just wanted to look at them from outside. The town was still deadly boring and depressing.
Panorama is clickable as always. Count what's more on the main square: parked cars or people.
For obvious reasons I didn't buy myself an apartment then (I had just started working). As of 2022, when I'm writing this article, prices in Kolin are crazy, like in all Czechia.
Every second apartment for sale ad talks about a good investment and accessibility. Yes, I'm smarter than everyone by 4 years, but poorer than an average Czech by 200 years :(
Also by 2018 I learned that Kolin translates from Czech to German as Cologne.
And not without reason, I tell you, German Cologne is the same depressing asshole of the world.
Most often if you mention Kolin in conversation with Czechs, you should say "Czech Kolin". If you mean the German one, add "nad Rynem" (on Rhine).
But, let's be honest, nobody except me will talk about Czech Kolin. If I do buy an apartment here for living, it's only in the very center and only to be close to the station.
The rest of Kolin, though big, is maximally depressing. All panel buildings and no people.