Mayor Henriette Reker presented the prize, honouring what was described as his commitment to the respectful coexistence of people from different backgrounds.
One of the most famous classical artists in the world, Barenboim has been the musical director of the Berlin State Opera and the Berlin Staatskapelle since 1992.
He co-founded the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, which brings together musicians from Israel and the Arab world.
This was the eighth time Cologne awarded the biannual Konrad Adenauer Prize, named for the first German chancellor and the city’s former mayor.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------