Cologne Cathedral: Could It Burn Down?

The Cologne Cathedral, a renowned monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture, has endured a long and tumultuous history, including surviving the Second World War. During the war, the cathedral was damaged by 14 high-explosive bombs and 70 firebombs. However, its medieval windows had been removed, and other treasures were protected by sandbags. The cathedral's workshop also managed to restore the choir and transept in time for the 700th anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone in 1948. The building remained standing despite the extensive damage inflicted on the city by the Allied forces. Could it have burned down?

Cologne Cathedral's fire-fighting system

The fire-fighting system of Cologne Cathedral has been designed to prevent fires and minimise damage in the event of a blaze. The system has been developed in close cooperation with the fire department and is continuously improved.

The cathedral's fire protection concept differs from that of Notre Dame, where firefighters were seen spraying water from street level during the fire of April 2019. In Cologne, empty pipes have been installed around the cathedral so that hoses can be attached about 50 metres (164 ft) up from the ground, allowing firefighters to get closer to the source of a fire. This system is particularly important given that Cologne Cathedral is a tall structure, reaching 157 metres (515 ft) in height.

The cathedral's master builder, Barbara Schock-Werner, has emphasised the importance of fire prevention, stating that "we have to do all we can to prevent such disasters". The building is constantly in need of maintenance and renovation due to the effects of wind, rain, and pollution on its stone structure.

During World War II, the cathedral suffered damage from 14 high-explosive bombs and 70 firebombs. However, the medieval windows had been removed, and other treasures were protected by sandbags. The metal framework of the roof also meant that it could not burn down like other buildings in the area. The choir and transept were restored by 1948, and repairs to the war damage were completed in 1956.

The impact of WWII bombing on Cologne Cathedral

The Cologne Cathedral suffered extensive damage during World War II as a result of bombing raids by the Allies. The city of Cologne was subjected to 262 separate air raids, with the first taking place on May 12, 1940, and the most notable attack occurring on May 30-31, 1942, when the RAF launched its first 1,000-bomber raid. This particular raid caused heavy damage to one-third of the city's built-up area, with over 5,000 non-residential buildings damaged and 3,300 of those destroyed.

The cathedral itself was hit by fourteen high-explosive bombs and seventy firebombs, but it did not collapse. The medieval windows had been removed beforehand, and other treasures were protected by sandbags. The metal framework of the roof, designed by Ernst F. Zwirner, also played a crucial role in preventing the cathedral from burning down, as did the empty pipes installed by Barbara Schock-Werner, the former master builder, which allowed firefighters to spray water from a higher elevation.

The twin spires of the cathedral were used as a navigational landmark by Allied pilots, which may have contributed to the building's survival. The lower-level bombers were more accurate in their targeting, but the high-level bombers were notoriously inaccurate, making it difficult to intentionally target the cathedral, even with its large size.

After the war, repairs to the cathedral were completed in 1956, and constant maintenance and renovation have continued since. The building stands as a testament to the resilience of Cologne and its people during World War II, as it remained standing amidst the ruins of the city.

The use of fire in the Cathedral's construction

Fire has played a significant role in the long and tumultuous history of the Cologne Cathedral. The site has been occupied by Christian churches since the 4th century, with an older cathedral on the site destroyed by fire in 1248. Immediately after this fire, construction began on the present Cologne Cathedral, which was designed in the Gothic style.

During the construction process, fire caused significant damage to the structure. Careless demolition work combined with fire destroyed the east choir and almost the entire cathedral. The Shrine of the Three Kings was saved from the flames, and the western parts of the previous cathedral were rebuilt before being taken down once the Gothic choir was completed.

In the 1790s, French Revolutionary troops occupied Cologne and used the cathedral as a stable and hay barn, burning the nave's wooden furnishings for firewood. In the 19th century, the use of fire during construction was more positive, with iron roof girders employed to complete the structure.

In the 20th century, the cathedral was damaged by firebombs during World War II. However, the medieval windows had been removed, and other treasures protected, so the damage was not as severe as it could have been. The cathedral was restored, and constant maintenance and renovation have been ongoing since.

The fire protection concept for the cathedral is now quite sophisticated, with empty pipes installed so that firefighters can attach hoses high up, closer to the source of any potential fire. This system is continuously improved in cooperation with the fire department.

The role of fire in the destruction of other cathedrals

Fire has played a significant role in the destruction of several cathedrals throughout history. While the primary structural elements of these buildings are typically made of fire-resistant stone, the roof structures are usually wooden, making them susceptible to fire damage. Here are some notable examples of cathedrals that have been severely affected by fires:

Notre-Dame de Paris, France

One of the most well-known examples is the fire that engulfed Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on April 15, 2019. The fire caused the collapse of the wooden spire and the destruction of two-thirds of the roof. The interior of the cathedral also sustained severe damage, and the full extent of the damage was not immediately known. The fire was fought primarily from inside the structure to minimise potential damage to the cathedral, and it took 15 hours to extinguish. Investigators ruled out arson and proposed two main hypotheses for the cause of the fire: an improperly extinguished cigarette and an electrical short circuit.

St. Paul's Cathedral, London

The original St. Paul's Cathedral in London, known as Old St. Paul's, was destroyed by the Great Fire of London in 1666. Construction of the cathedral began in 1087, the same year much of the city was devastated by fire, and it was delayed by another fire in 1135. After the Great Fire, the old structure was razed, and a new St. Paul's Cathedral was built, which still stands today.

St. Martin's Cathedral, Utrecht, Netherlands

St. Martin's Cathedral in Utrecht, Netherlands, has a long history of destruction and rebuilding. The site has seen several buildings that were destroyed by fire or military attack since the 9th century. In 1253, a fire partially destroyed the cathedral, and the current Gothic structure was built in 1254. Centuries later, in 1964, the central nave collapsed due to a storm.

Santa Maria Del Mar, Barcelona, Spain

Santa Maria Del Mar, a Catalan Gothic cathedral in Barcelona, Spain, was set on fire in July 1936. The fire burned for 11 consecutive days, destroying the baroque altar and other images and archives of historical significance. However, the walls, columns, and some stained glass windows survived the flames.

Cologne Cathedral, Germany

Cologne Cathedral in Germany has endured multiple trials by fire. During World War II, the cathedral was struck by 14 high-explosive bombs and 70 firebombs. Thankfully, the medieval windows had been removed, and other treasures were protected by sandbags. Despite the extensive damage, the cathedral was restored in time for the 700th anniversary of its foundation stone-laying in 1948.

These examples demonstrate the significant role that fire has played in the destruction and damage of cathedrals throughout history. While some of these structures have been rebuilt or restored, others have been irrevocably lost, highlighting the importance of fire prevention and protection measures for these valuable cultural landmarks.

The fire protection measures in place for Cologne Cathedral

Fire protection is a significant concern for the Cologne Cathedral, and its fire protection concept is continuously improved in close cooperation with the fire department. Here are the key fire protection measures in place:

• Empty pipes installed around the cathedral allow firefighters to attach hoses about 50 meters (164 ft) up from the ground, enabling them to get closer to the source of the fire.
• During World War II, the cathedral's medieval windows were removed, and other valuable items were protected by sandbags.
• The roof of the cathedral is made of metal. During World War II, this prevented it from burning down like many other buildings in the area.
• Regular renovation and maintenance work is constantly carried out to preserve the structure, which is rarely free of scaffolding.
• The cathedral's master builder and a steering committee supervise the work of the cathedral workshop, which is responsible for maintenance, conservation, and restoration.
• The cathedral's fire-fighting system differs from that of Notre Dame Cathedral, where firefighters were seen spraying water from street level.

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