The Cologne Cathedral: Gargoyles And Grotesques

The Cologne Cathedral in Germany is known for its Gothic architecture and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is Germany's most visited landmark and the largest Gothic church in the country. The cathedral is adorned with several surprising statues and symbols, including gargoyles. These gargoyles are known for their grotesque and fearful forms, intended to ward off evil spirits in the Middle Ages. Visitors to the cathedral have noted the presence of various gargoyles, including those in the form of animals, mythical creatures, and human figures. The cathedral also features a unique gargoyle of Pope Francis, which was added to the ornate Gothic entrance in 2018.

The Cologne Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

The cathedral is a renowned monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture. It is Germany's most visited landmark, attracting around 6 million people a year. At 157 metres, it is the tallest twin-spired church in the world and the second tallest church in Europe. The towers for its two huge spires give the cathedral the largest façade of any church globally.

The cathedral is a medieval building that was constructed very solidly. However, the stone structure requires continuous maintenance and renovation. The Cologne Cathedral is constantly under repair due to the effects of wind, rain, and pollution on the stones. The cathedral's master builder, Barbara Schock-Werner, famously said, "Cologne Cathedral without scaffolding is not a pipe dream, but a nightmare. It would mean that we would no longer be able to afford the cathedral."

The cathedral is adorned with surprising statues and symbols, including a recent addition of a carved stone figure of Pope Francis, resembling a gargoyle.

The cathedral's construction began in 1248 and was completed in 1880

Construction of the Cologne Cathedral began in 1248 and was completed in 1880, but this 600-year journey was not without its setbacks. The original cathedral on the site was destroyed by fire in 1248, and work began immediately on a new cathedral in the Gothic style. The choir was consecrated in 1322, but construction was halted in 1473, and the project stalled for centuries. During this period, a large wooden crane was left standing about 184 feet (56 metres) above the ground at the top of the south tower, where it remained for 400 years.

In the 1790s, French Revolutionary troops occupied Cologne and used the cathedral as a stable and hay barn. Restoration work began in the 1820s, thanks to the efforts of Sulpiz Boisserée, a German proponent of the Gothic Revival movement. A new cornerstone was laid by King Frederick William IV of Prussia in 1842, and work to complete the cathedral resumed in earnest. The project was now properly funded, with two-thirds of the enormous costs raised by the Central-Dombauverein and the remaining third supplied by the Prussian state. The architects Ernst Friedrich Zwirner and Richard Voigtel led the construction, following the original medieval plans and drawings. More modern construction techniques were employed, including the use of iron roof girders. The bells were installed in the 1870s, and the edifice was finally completed to its original medieval plan in 1880.

The completion of Germany's largest cathedral was celebrated as a national event on 15 October 1880, with Emperor Wilhelm I in attendance. With a height of 157.38 metres (516.3 feet), it was the tallest building in the world for four years until the completion of the Washington Monument.

The cathedral is in a permanent state of reconstruction due to age, pollution, and damage from World War II

The Cologne Cathedral, Germany's largest Gothic church, is a renowned monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture. Construction of the cathedral began in 1248 and was completed in 1880. The cathedral is Germany's most visited landmark, attracting an average of 20,000 people a day. It is also the world's third tallest twin-spired church, standing at 157 metres (515 feet) tall.

The Cologne Cathedral is in a permanent state of reconstruction due to age, pollution, and damage from World War II. During the war, the cathedral suffered fourteen hits by aerial bombs. Badly damaged, it nevertheless remained standing in an otherwise completely flattened city. The twin spires were an easily recognisable landmark for Allied aircraft, which may explain why the cathedral was not destroyed. After the war, repairs were completed in 1956. An emergency repair to the base of the northwest tower, carried out in 1944 using poor-quality brick, remained visible until 2005 when it was decided to restore the section to its original appearance.

The cathedral's Gothic architecture has many elements that are deteriorating. The city has a resident Cathedral Architect to supervise the constant repair and maintenance work. The Dombauhütte, established to build the cathedral and keep it in repair, employs the best stonemasons in the Rhineland. The cathedral has a staff of about 100 artisans to regularly refurbish its artworks, including dozens of stonemasons who make replacement copies of outside statues and structures worn down by years of rain, snow, and smog.

Local legend says that the world will end the day work on the cathedral stops. The cathedral's spokesman, Matthias Deml, noted that stonemasons repairing the damage from World War II started carving all sorts of small statues to place on the roof, where they could not be seen from below. This creative restoration work continues to this day, with the cathedral's master builder, Peter Füssenich, recently adding a carved stone figure of Pope Francis to the ornate Gothic entrance.

The cathedral features a variety of statues and symbols, including a recent addition of a Pope Francis gargoyle

The Cologne Cathedral, Germany's largest Gothic church, is adorned with a variety of statues and symbols, including gargoyles. The cathedral, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has a long history of construction and preservation, with work beginning in 1248 and finally concluding in 1880.

One notable feature of the cathedral is its collection of gargoyles. Traditionally, gargoyles were considered guardians of the church, warding off evil spirits with their grotesque and fearful forms. The Cologne Cathedral is home to numerous gargoyles, both ancient and modern, that serve as decorative elements and water spouts.

Among the many gargoyles that adorn the cathedral, one recent addition has drawn particular attention: a gargoyle of Pope Francis. This carved stone figure, created by the cathedral's master builder, Peter Füssenich, is positioned on a wall near the ornate Gothic entrance. Unlike traditional gargoyles, the Pope Francis gargoyle does not have water spouting from its mouth but instead leans forward with a smile, greeting passers-by with its right hand. The sculpture is attached to a stone canopy over a large statue of King Solomon, observing the crowd below.

The addition of the Pope Francis gargoyle to the Cologne Cathedral is part of a broader tradition of surprising and creative statues that adorn the church. On the roof, for instance, statues of world leaders like John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev can be found in a summit meeting. The cathedral also features carvings of local figures, such as a famous boxer, soccer players, and the billy goat mascot of the local team. These unexpected statues add a unique layer of interest and surprise to the cathedral's architecture.

The Cologne Cathedral's statues and symbols, including the recent addition of the Pope Francis gargoyle, contribute to its rich character and history. Visitors are treated not only to impressive Gothic architecture but also to a diverse array of decorative elements that surprise, delight, and, at times, provoke thoughtful discussion.

Gargoyles in the Middle Ages were considered guardians of the church, warding off evil spirits with their grotesque forms

The Cologne Cathedral in Germany, which is the country's largest Gothic church, is adorned with a variety of statues and symbols, including gargoyles. The cathedral's construction began in 1248 and was finally completed in 1880.

Gargoyles, those quirky creatures of the Middle Ages, have long been associated with churches and cathedrals, particularly those from the Gothic period. They are often considered protectors or guardians of the church, warding off evil spirits with their grotesque forms. This belief is one of several theories about the purpose of gargoyles, which are characterised by their wide-open mouths and intimidating features.

The word "gargoyle" is derived from the Latin "gargula" (throat) and the French "gargouille" or "gurgle" (to gurgle). They are primarily decorative waterspouts or drains, designed to direct water away from the walls and foundations of buildings to prevent erosion. However, their function extends beyond the practical.

In the Middle Ages, gargoyles were believed to serve as symbols of protection and defence against evil forces. Their monstrous and demonic appearances may have been intended to scare people into entering the church and leading pious lives. Additionally, their inclusion in the drainage system of churches could symbolise Christ's triumph over the forces of Satan.

Gargoyles also served as a reminder of the torments awaiting sinners in the afterlife, as medieval churches often featured graphic depictions of damnation and redemption. Their grotesque forms may also be interpreted as a reminder of God's love for all creatures, regardless of their outward appearance.

While the exact meaning of gargoyles in the Middle Ages remains a subject of speculation, their appeal and intrigue have endured for centuries, continuing to capture the imagination of people even in modern times.

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