Exploring The Many Ports Of Cologne Cathedral

Cologne Cathedral, officially Hohe Domkirche Sankt Petrus, is a medieval cathedral church located in Cologne, Germany. Construction began in 1248 and ended in 1880, though maintenance and renovations are ongoing. The cathedral is renowned for its Gothic architecture and is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is Germany's most visited landmark, attracting an average of 6 million people annually. The cathedral features two towers that stand at 515 feet (157 metres) tall, making it the tallest twin-spired church in the world. Visitors can climb 533 steps to a viewing platform about 100 metres above the ground.

Construction of Cologne Cathedral

The construction of Cologne Cathedral began in 1248, after the previous cathedral on the site was destroyed by fire. The new cathedral was designed in the Gothic style, emulating French church architecture. The foundation stone was laid by Archbishop Konrad von Hochstaden.

The construction of the cathedral was a lengthy process, taking several centuries and numerous stages to complete. The first stage of construction ended in 1322 with the consecration of the choir, which was then sealed off with a temporary wall to allow the rest of the building work to continue. This work continued until around 1560, when it came to a halt, and the project stalled for almost 300 years. During this period, a large wooden crane was left standing at the top of the south tower, becoming a landmark on the Cologne skyline for the next 400 years.

Attempts to complete the cathedral began around 1814, but the project did not receive proper funding until the 1840s. In 1842, a new cornerstone was laid by King Frederick William IV of Prussia, and work to complete the cathedral resumed. The architects Ernst Friedrich Zwirner and Richard Voigtel led the project, following the original medieval plans and drawings but using more modern construction techniques, including iron roof girders. The bells were installed in the 1870s, with the largest bell, St. Petersglocke, being added in 1875.

The completion of Germany's largest cathedral was celebrated as a national event on 15 October 1880, 632 years after construction had begun. The cathedral was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.

The cathedral's Gothic architecture

The Cologne Cathedral is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. Construction of this medieval building began in 1248, and it was finally completed in 1880, over 600 years later. The cathedral is a renowned monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1996. It is Germany's most visited landmark, attracting an average of 6 million people a year.

The cathedral's design is based closely on that of Amiens Cathedral, with a ground plan in the shape of a Latin Cross, as is usual with Gothic cathedrals. It has two aisles on either side, supporting one of the highest Gothic vaults in the world. Externally, the thrust of the vault is supported by flying buttresses in the French manner. The eastern end has a single ambulatory, with the second aisle resolving into a chevet of seven radiating chapels. The cathedral is a five-aisled basilica, with a projecting transept and a tower façade. The nave is 43.58 m high, and the side aisles are 19.80 m high.

The Cologne Cathedral is the tallest twin-spired church in the world, standing at 157 m (515 ft) tall. The towers for its two huge spires give the cathedral the largest façade of any church in the world. The towers were added in the 19th century, along with the completion of the nave, using more modern construction techniques, including iron roof girders. The bells were installed in the 1870s, with the largest being the St. Petersglocke.

The cathedral is constructed from different types of rock, including Schlaitdorf sandstone, trachyte, and sandstone. The filigree buttresses and arches are exposed to the elements and are susceptible to water damage, as well as damage from the sulphur content of the air and bird droppings. The sandstone, in particular, has been affected by weathering and pollution, turning the cathedral black over the centuries. The iron anchors and dowels holding the architectural decorations together are also beginning to rust and will need to be replaced.

The Cologne Cathedral is a testament to the enduring strength of European Christianity and is considered a "masterpiece of exceptional intrinsic value". The original liturgical appointments of the choir are still largely extant, including the high altar, the carved oak choir stalls, the painted choir screens, the statues on the pillars, and the great cycle of stained-glass windows. The cathedral also houses many important works of art, including the Gero Crucifix, the Shrine of the Three Kings, and various altarpieces.

The cathedral's art and relics

The art and relics of Cologne Cathedral are numerous and varied. The cathedral is a testament to the enduring strength of European Christianity and is considered a "masterpiece of exceptional intrinsic value".

One of the most celebrated works of art in the cathedral is the Shrine of the Three Kings, also known as the Tomb of the Three Magi. This shrine is a large gilded and decorated triple sarcophagus situated above and behind the high altar. It was crafted by the medieval goldsmith Nicholas of Verdun and is considered the high point of Mosan art. It is adorned with intricate decorations, including 74 high-relief figures in silver-gilt, and is said to contain the bones of the Biblical Magi, or Three Wise Men. The shrine is approximately 110 cm wide, 153 cm high, and 220 cm long, and is shaped like a basilica, with two sarcophagi side by side and a third resting on their roof ridges.

Another important relic is the Gero Crucifix, a large oak crucifix with traces of paint and gilding, believed to have been commissioned around 960 for Archbishop Gero. It is the oldest large crucifix north of the Alps and the earliest known large free-standing Northern sculpture of the medieval period.

The high altar, installed in 1322, is constructed of black marble, with a solid slab 15 feet long forming the top. The front and sides are overlaid with white marble niches containing figures, with the Coronation of the Virgin at the centre.

The cathedral also features an altarpiece in the Lady Chapel (on the south wall of the choir) called The Adoration of the Magi, crafted by Stefan Lochner, one of the outstanding painters of the Cologne school. The cathedral's oldest stained-glass windows date back to the 13th century, while a more modern stained-glass window by Gerhard Richter, installed in 2007, consists of more than 11,000 square panes in 72 solid colours.

Other notable artworks include the Mailänder Madonna ("Milan Madonna"), a high Gothic carving in the Sacrament Chapel; the altarpiece of the patron saints of Cologne by Stefan Lochner in the Marienkapelle ("St. Mary's Chapel"); and the Dombild Altarpiece of the Three Kings by Stefan Lochner.

The cathedral's windows

The Cathedral's colourful glass windows are especially impressive. They bring a vibrant intensity of colour to the interior. The plethora of windows was intended to flood the cathedral with light, making God's omnipotence and closeness tangible. With more than 10,000 square metres of windows, it has the largest window area of any church in the world.

The windows are not just colourful surfaces, but also picture windows that tell biblical stories. One of the oldest is the famous Bible Window, located in the central chapel of the ambulatory. Some windows from the Middle Ages have been preserved, while others have been restored according to old sketches. Still, other windows, such as the Richter window, are more modern and were created only recently.

The south transept window, designed by German artist Gerhard Richter and inaugurated in 2007, sparked enthusiasm and criticism. The abstract tapestry of colour, created by 11,263 colour squares in 72 colours, changes continuously depending on the incidence of light. These 72 colours are also an essential element of the cathedral's neo-medieval windows from the 19th century.

The Cologne Cathedral windows, their significance, their history, and their partial rescue from the bombs of World War II, comprise an extensive chapter in the Cathedral's history and play an important role in its impressive interior.

Visiting the cathedral

Cologne Cathedral is open daily from 6 am to 8 pm. Tourists can visit the cathedral as a World Heritage Site between 10 am and 5 pm on weekdays, 1 pm and 4 pm on Sundays, and until 8 pm in the tower hall after the evening mass. The cathedral is open all year round, with extended hours in the summer months between May and October.

The cathedral is located in the city of Cologne, Germany, and is easily accessible by public transport, car, or train. If you arrive by train, the cathedral is right next to the railway station.

There are a few things to keep in mind when planning your visit. Only small bags and rucksacks (maximum A4 size) are allowed inside the cathedral, the treasury, and the tower ascent. Identity checks are carried out by cathedral staff when entering these areas. There is a specific dress code that visitors must adhere to, which includes no sleeveless or cropped tops, no short shorts or skirts, and no offensive symbols.

During your visit, you will be able to climb the 533 steps to the viewing platform, which is about 100 metres above the ground. This will take approximately 30 to 45 minutes, depending on your pace. From the viewing platform, you will be treated to a scenic view of the city and the Rhine River.

The cathedral offers guided tours in English from Monday to Saturday between 10 am and 2:30 pm, and at 2:30 pm on Sundays and holidays. Ticket costs for adults are 7 euros, and 5 euros for children and students. A combined ticket to the treasure chamber and the tower is also available for 6 euros per adult.

The cathedral is a renowned monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture, attracting an average of 6 million visitors a year. It is the tallest twin-spired church in the world and the third-tallest church of any kind in the world. The construction began in 1248 and took over 600 years to complete, finally ending in 1880. The cathedral features immense twin towers that stand at 515 feet (157 metres) tall.

The shrine of the Three Kings, or the Three Magi, is a major highlight of the cathedral. This shrine is believed to hold the relics of the Magi, or the Three Wise Men, whose relics were brought to the city in 1164. Other notable works of art include the Gero Crucifix, the Mailänder Madonna, and various stained-glass windows, including the modern window by Gerhard Richter.

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