The Construction Of Cologne Cathedral: A Six-Century Journey

Construction of the Cologne Cathedral, a towering Gothic masterpiece, took place in several stages over seven centuries. The building process began in 1248, but was halted in the years around 1560 due to a lack of funding. For almost 300 years, the cathedral stood incomplete in the centre of the city, with a large wooden crane at the top of the south tower, becoming an involuntary landmark of Cologne. Attempts to restart construction occurred over the next 300 years, but it wasn't until the 1840s that there was a successful push by the public and the Protestant Prussian Court to finish the project. The first new foundation stone of the restarted build was laid by King Frederick William IV in 1842, and the cathedral was finally completed in 1880, 632 years after construction had begun.

Construction began in 1248

Construction of the Cologne Cathedral began in 1248, with the aim of creating the largest building north of the Alps. The cathedral was designed in the Gothic style, emulating French church architecture. The first foundation stone was laid by Archbishop Konrad von Hochstaden in August 1248. The eastern arm of the cathedral was completed under the direction of Master Gerhard and was consecrated in 1322. It was then sealed off by a temporary wall so that work could continue.

The construction of the Cologne Cathedral was a lengthy process, taking place in several stages over seven centuries. The building work was halted in the years around 1560 due to a lack of funding, and the project remained unfinished for almost 300 years. During this time, the ruin, with its medieval construction crane, became an involuntary landmark of the city. In the 18th century, the building was even used by French revolutionary troops as a horse stable.

In the 1840s, there was a push from the public and the Protestant Prussian Court to finish the cathedral. Funding was raised with the power of the city and its citizens, as well as government organisations. The first new foundation stone of the restarted build was laid by King Frederick William IV in 1842. The architects Ernst Friedrich Zwirner and Richard Voigtel took ownership of the process, carefully following the original plans and blueprints.

The completion of the Cologne Cathedral was finally celebrated as a national event on 15 October 1880, 632 years after construction had begun.

It took 632 years to complete

Construction of the Cologne Cathedral began in 1248, but it was not completed until 632 years later, in 1880. The original builders' enthusiasm for the project waned over time, and construction eventually stopped around 1560 due to a loss of funding. For the next 300 years, the unfinished cathedral stood at the heart of Cologne, its medieval construction crane becoming an iconic landmark in the city. During this period, the building was used by French revolutionary troops as a horse stable.

In the 19th century, the Romantic period brought with it a renewed interest in the Middle Ages, and the people of Cologne once again turned their attention to the cathedral. Architects Ernst Friedrich Zwirner and Richard Voigtel led the project, referring back to the original medieval plans and using more modern construction techniques. The completion of Germany's largest cathedral was celebrated as a national event, with Emperor Wilhelm I in attendance.

The long journey to the cathedral's completion is a testament to the enduring strength of European Christianity. Despite the challenges and delays, the builders remained faithful to the original vision, resulting in a structure that stands today as a masterpiece of Gothic architecture.

Work stopped for 300 years

Construction of the Cologne Cathedral began in 1248 but was halted in the years around 1560, remaining unfinished for almost 300 years.

The Gothic style of the cathedral had fallen out of fashion, and the age of the Renaissance and the Reformation had caused fractures between the Church and the bourgeoisie. There were fewer pilgrims, which meant less money to continue building the cathedral. The ruin, with its medieval construction crane, became an involuntary landmark of the city.

During the 18th century, the building was even used by French revolutionary troops as a horse stable. In the 19th century, the Romantic period brought a renewed interest in the Middle Ages, and the people of Cologne looked back to the original architectural plans for the cathedral.

In the 1840s, there was a push by the public and the Protestant Prussian Court to finish the cathedral. With the power of the city and its citizens, as well as government organisations, funding was raised and construction was restarted in 1842. The first new foundation stone of the restarted build was laid by King Frederick William IV.

Completed to original plans

The construction of the Cologne Cathedral was completed according to its original medieval plan in 1880, 632 years after it first began in 1248. This was achieved despite an almost 300-year stoppage between 1560 and the 1840s due to a loss of funding and interest in the Gothic style.

The original plans were discovered in the 19th century, during the Romantic period, when there was a renewed interest in the Middle Ages. The completion of the cathedral was made possible by a combination of civic effort and government funding. The Central-Dombauverein, founded in 1842, raised two-thirds of the enormous costs, while the Prussian state supplied the remaining third.

The original design was made by Gerhard of Reil, a stonemason who took inspiration from other cathedrals across Europe. The idea behind his design was to build a cathedral that, from above, looked like a Latin Cross, which is standard for most Gothic cathedrals. When construction resumed in 1842, it was architects Ernst Friedrich Zwirner and Richard Voigtel who took ownership of the process. Due to their respect for the original designs, they did not alter much from the original plans and finished the work that Gerhard of Reil started.

Declared a World Heritage Site in 1996

Cologne Cathedral was designated a World Heritage Site in 1996, and for good reason. This impressive Gothic structure, which took six centuries to complete, is a huge edifice that contains artistic masterpieces and dominates the skyline of Cologne. It is Germany's most visited landmark, attracting an average of 6 million people a year. At 157 metres (515 feet), it is the tallest twin-spired church in the world, the second tallest church in Europe, and the third tallest church of any kind in the world.

The cathedral's construction began in 1248 but was halted in the years around 1560, unfinished. Attempts to complete the construction began around 1814, but the project was not properly funded until the 1840s. The edifice was finally completed to its original medieval plan in 1880. The towers for its two huge spires give the cathedral the largest façade of any church in the world.

Cologne's medieval builders had planned a grand structure to house the shrine of the Three Wise Men, whose relics were brought to the town in 1164, and fit for its role as a place of worship for the Holy Roman Emperor. Despite being left incomplete during the medieval period, Cologne Cathedral eventually became unified as "a masterpiece of exceptional intrinsic value" and "a powerful testimony to the strength and persistence of Christian belief in medieval and modern Europe".

The cathedral's long journey to completion is due to an almost 300-year stoppage between 1560 and the 1840s. One of the reasons why historians believe construction stopped was that Gothic architecture had lost its place and value in society. However, in the 1840s, there was a push by the public and the Protestant Prussian Court to finish the cathedral. With the power of the city and its citizens, as well as government organisations, funding was raised and construction was restarted in 1842.

The Cologne Cathedral is a renowned monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture. It is a High Gothic five-aisled basilica with a projecting transept and a tower façade. The nave is 43.58 metres high and the side aisles are 19.80 metres. The western section, nave and transept, begun in 1330, changes in style, but this is not perceptible in the overall building. The 19th-century work follows the medieval forms and techniques faithfully, as can be seen by comparing it with the original medieval plan on parchment.

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