Exploring The Religious Side Of Cologne: Churches Galore

Cologne is home to a plethora of churches, including the famous Cologne Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city boasts twelve Romanesque churches in its Old Town, all of which are Catholic. These churches, established between the 4th and 12th centuries, showcase the elegant simplicity of Romanesque architecture. In addition to these twelve, Cologne also has numerous other churches, such as the Sankt Andreas Kirche, St. Mariä Himmelfahrt, and the Basilika St. Aposteln.

Cologne Cathedral: the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe

Cologne Cathedral, officially known as Hohe Domkirche Sankt Petrus or Cathedral Church of Saint Peter, is a renowned monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture. It is the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe, standing at 157 metres (515 feet) tall. The construction of this magnificent structure began in 1248 and was completed in 1880, taking over six centuries to finish.

The cathedral is located in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, and belongs to the Catholic Church. It serves as the seat of the Archbishop of Cologne and the administration of the Archdiocese of Cologne. With its immense twin towers, Cologne Cathedral is not just a religious landmark but also the tallest twin-spired church in the world. The towers give the cathedral the largest facade of any church globally.

The history of this Gothic masterpiece is quite fascinating. The site of the cathedral has been occupied by Christian churches since the 4th century. An older cathedral was destroyed by fire in 1248, after which the construction of the present cathedral commenced. The new cathedral was designed in the Gothic style, inspired by French church architecture. Despite interruptions and challenges, the construction continued until around 1560, when it stalled for centuries. During this initial phase, the choir was consecrated in 1322, and a large wooden crane was left standing at the top of the south tower.

In the 19th century, there was a renewed enthusiasm to complete the cathedral, fuelled by the Romantic fascination with the Middle Ages and the discovery of the original plans. The necessary funding was secured, and work resumed in the 1840s, adhering to the original medieval designs. The completion of Germany's largest cathedral was celebrated as a national event in 1880, with Emperor Wilhelm I in attendance.

Cologne Cathedral is not just an architectural marvel but also houses exceptional artistic masterpieces. One of its most celebrated works of art is the Shrine of the Three Kings, created by Nicholas of Verdun. It is believed to hold the remains of the Three Wise Men and is considered one of the most intricate goldsmith works of the Middle Ages. Another notable artwork is the Gero Crucifix, the oldest large crucifix north of the Alps, dating back to the late 10th century.

The cathedral also boasts impressive stained glass windows, including modern installations by Gerhard Richter, composed of thousands of coloured glass pieces, creating a vibrant "carpet" effect.

St. Severin's Basilica: a Romanesque-Gothic building with a Baroque tower

St. Severin Basilica, located in the Old Town (Altstadt) of Cologne, Germany, is one of the twelve landmark Romanesque churches in the city. Established in the 4th century, it is one of the oldest churches in Cologne. The basilica is dedicated to St. Severin, a Christian missionary and bishop who is said to have lived between the 3rd and 4th centuries.

The architectural style of St. Severin Basilica is a blend of Romanesque and Gothic elements. The church's Romanesque origins are evident in its massive quality, thick walls, round arches, and sturdy pillars. The overall appearance is one of simplicity and solidity, characteristic of Romanesque architecture. The Gothic influence can be seen in the vaulted ceiling and the presence of Gothic chapels along the side aisles, added at a later date.

The most distinctive feature of St. Severin Basilica is its Baroque tower, which stands tall above the church. The tower is a later addition, constructed during the Baroque period, known for its elaborate and ornate architectural style. The tower's intricate details and decorative elements contrast with the simpler Romanesque-Gothic blend of the main church building.

The interior of St. Severin Basilica has undergone changes over the centuries, with renovations and the addition of Gothic elements. The church's long history and architectural evolution reflect the religious and cultural significance it holds in Cologne. The basilica has been a site of pilgrimage and worship for centuries and is recognised as an important part of the city's rich historical fabric.

St. Severin Basilica stands as a testament to the enduring faith and craftsmanship of generations, blending Romanesque and Gothic styles with a Baroque tower. Its presence in the heart of Cologne's Old Town makes it a notable landmark and a cherished part of the city's religious and architectural heritage.

St. Gereon's Basilica: a church with a gigantic 21x16-metre oval decagonal dome

Cologne is home to twelve great Romanesque churches, one of which is St. Gereon's Basilica. This church is dedicated to Saint Gereon, a Roman soldier from Egypt who was beheaded in the third century for his faith.

St. Gereon's Basilica was first mentioned in 612, but the building of the choir gallery, apse, and transepts began under Archbishop Arnold II von Wied in 1151 and was completed in 1227. The church features a decagonal oval dome that measures 21.0 m long and 16.9 m wide, making it the largest dome built in the West between the Hagia Sophia in the 6th century and the Duomo of Florence in the 15th century. The dome is supported by the remains of Roman walls, which are still visible.

The nave of St. Gereon's Basilica has a highly irregular plan, with the decagonal dome covering it. Inside the church, one can find medieval mosaics, murals, and ancient relics. The exterior of the church features an apse and two square-shaped east towers that overlook a small park and a busy street. The western end of the church overlooks a plaza.

St. Gereon's Basilica is one of the twelve Romanesque churches in Cologne that were built in the Old Town. All twelve churches are Catholic. These churches are known for their unique architecture and historical significance.

St. Maria im Kapitol: the largest Romanesque church in Cologne

Cologne is home to many churches, including twelve Romanesque landmark churches in the Old Town (Altstadt), all of which are Catholic. One of these twelve churches is St. Maria im Kapitol, the largest Romanesque church in Cologne.

St. Maria im Kapitol, or St. Mary's in the Capitol in English, is an 11th-century Romanesque church located in the Kapitol-Viertel in the old town of Cologne, Germany. The name "im Kapitol" refers to the Roman temple for the Capitoline Triad that was built on the same site as the church in the first century. The Catholic church is based on the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and was dedicated to St. Mary. It was built between 1040 and 1065 and is considered the most important work of German church architecture of the Salian dynasty.

Measuring 100 metres by 40 metres, St. Maria im Kapitol encompasses 4,000 square metres of internal space, making it the largest of the Romanesque churches in Cologne. The church has a nave and aisles and three towers to the west. The east end of the church is trefoil-shaped, with three apses. The church's foundation was built on the walls of the former Roman temple, which measured 33 metres by 29.5 metres and was surrounded by a 97-metre by 69-metre courtyard. Inside the temple, three cellae—one for each of the worshipped gods—were built.

During World War II, St. Maria im Kapitol was heavily damaged, and until 1956, only the closed-off western part of the church could be used. In 1984, the eastern part was reopened. The church's works of art include the wooden doors (from c. 1065), two ledgers of Plectrudis' sarcophagus (c. 1160 and 1280), Hermann-Josef-Virgin with the apple (c. 1180), Hardenrath chapel with choristers' tribune (second half of the 15th century), Virgin on a Throne (likely 1200), and Plague crucifix (c. 1300).

St. Cecilia's: the humblest Romanesque church in Cologne

Cologne is home to twelve Romanesque churches in the Old Town (Altstadt), all of which are Catholic. One of these is St. Cecilia's, which is considered the humblest of the twelve. The church is located in Altstadt-Süd and was established in the 9th century, though the present building dates from 1130-1160.

St. Cecilia's is a simple, three-aisled church without towers or transepts. The southernmost aisle and the centre of the nave end in a rounded apse, while the northern aisle ends in an apse that is used as a sacristy, built in 1479. The church features frescoes in the upper choir of the middle aisle, though these were damaged during World War Two. The original, arched wooden roof in the middle aisle remains, and the tympanum dates from 1160.

The church was built on the site of a women's home dedicated to St. Cecilia, founded during the reign of Archbishop Willibert in 870-888. It was constructed on the ruins of a prior Roman bath. The church was renovated in the 12th century to suit a Romanesque style and is distinguished by its relatively modest size and decoration compared to the other Romanesque churches in Cologne.

The interior of St. Cecilia's was renovated in the late 15th century using resources originally designated for another church. The main entrance was changed in the 19th century to a Neo-Romantic style, though it has since been walled up to suit the needs of the Schnütgen Museum, which has been housed in the church since 1956.

Today, the church is primarily used as a museum of medieval art, though it still celebrates two masses each year: one at Christmas and the other on the feast day of St. Cecilia.

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