The Ancient Cologne Cathedral: A Historical Overview

The Cologne Cathedral, officially the Hohe Domkirche Sankt Petrus, or Cathedral Church of Saint Peter, is a Catholic cathedral in Cologne, Germany. Construction began in 1248 but was halted around 1560, leaving the cathedral unfinished for over 300 years. It was finally completed in 1880, 632 years after construction began. The cathedral is 157 metres (515 feet) tall and is the tallest twin-spired church in the world.

Construction began in 1248

Construction of the Cologne Cathedral began in 1248, with the first foundation stone being laid by Archbishop Konrad von Hochstaden. The cathedral was designed according to the northern French model and the most modern architectural style of the time: the Gothic style.

The construction of the cathedral was a project that spanned several centuries, with the original designer, Gerhard of Reil, taking inspiration from other cathedrals in Paris, Strasbourg, and neighbouring countries. The building of the cathedral was also a response to the need for a more worthy architecture to accommodate the supposed bones of the Three Wise Men, which were brought to Cologne by Archbishop Reinald von Dassel in 1164. A shrine was made for these bones between 1190 and 1225, and this shrine, a historical attraction, can be viewed inside the cathedral.

The construction of the Cologne Cathedral was interrupted several times due to war, financial difficulties, and religious conflicts. The Reformation and the Thirty Years' War in the 16th century halted work on the cathedral, and it would be another 300 years before construction resumed in the 19th century. During this long break, a large wooden crane stood some 184 feet (56 meters) above the ground at the top of the south tower.

Despite these challenges, work on the cathedral continued in the following decades. The construction of the choir was completed in the 14th century, and the foundation for the south tower was laid in 1360. In the 15th century, two bells, Pretiosa and Speciosa, were cast and are still part of the cathedral's bell collection today.

Finally, in the 19th century, under the direction of King Frederick William IV of Prussia, funding was raised through donations, and the cathedral was officially completed in 1880, 632 years after construction began.

It took 632 years to build

The construction of the Cologne Cathedral took 632 years, from 1248 to 1880. The cathedral is a Gothic masterpiece, the largest in northern Europe, and features immense twin towers that stand 515 feet (157 metres) tall.

The long construction period can be attributed to various interruptions, including war, financial difficulties, and a loss of interest in Gothic architecture in the 16th century. The project was also stalled for centuries, with a large wooden crane left standing some 184 feet (56 metres) above the ground, at the top of the south tower.

The first master builder of the cathedral was Master Gerhard, who likely worked only a few years on the planning and ground plan. The cathedral was designed according to the northern French model and the most modern architectural style of the time: the Gothic style. The foundation stone was laid in 1248 by Archbishop Konrad von Hochstaden.

Work on the cathedral continued in the following decades, with the construction of the choir completed in the 14th century and the foundation for the south tower laid in 1360. In the 15th century, two bells, Pretiosa and Speciosa, were cast and are still part of the cathedral's bell set. However, construction was interrupted in the 16th century due to the Reformation and the Thirty Years' War.

It was not until the 19th century that work on the cathedral resumed, when Prussia annexed the Rhineland and the city of Cologne became part of the Prussian state. Under the direction of the architect Ernst Friedrich Zwirner, extensive restoration work was carried out from 1842, and the interior was consecrated in 1848. The completion of the cathedral was celebrated as a national event in 1880, with Emperor Wilhelm I in attendance.

Even after its completion, work on the cathedral has continued, with regular maintenance and renovations required to preserve the structure. The Cologne Cathedral is a testament to the enduring strength of European Christianity and a symbol of the city of Cologne.

It's Germany's most popular landmark

Construction of the Cologne Cathedral began in 1248, and it is now Germany's most visited landmark, attracting an average of 6 million people a year. It is a renowned monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1996.

A Gothic masterpiece

The Cologne Cathedral is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. It is the tallest twin-spired church in the world, the second tallest church in Europe, and the third tallest church of any kind globally. The towers of its two huge spires give the cathedral the largest façade of any church in the world. The cathedral is 157 metres tall and has 10,000 square metres of windows. It is made from 300,000 tonnes of stone, including trachyte, sandstone, and limestone.

A symbol of Christian faith

The Cologne Cathedral is a symbol of the enduring strength of European Christianity. Over seven centuries, successive builders were inspired by the same faith and a spirit of absolute fidelity to the original plans. It is a renowned monument of German Catholicism and was an internationally renowned pilgrimage site in medieval Europe.

A work of artistic genius

The Cologne Cathedral contains many artistic masterpieces, including the Gero Crucifix, the Shrine of the Three Kings, the altarpiece of St Clare, the altarpiece of the City Patrons by Stephan Lochner, and the altarpiece of St Agilolphus. It also has the largest window area of any church in the world and features a modern stained-glass window by the artist Gerhard Richter.

It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Construction of the Cologne Cathedral began in 1248 and was completed in 1880. It is a renowned monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.

The cathedral is a High Gothic five-aisled basilica with a projecting transept and a tower façade. The nave is 43.58m high, and the side aisles reach 19.80m. The western section, nave, and transept, which were begun in 1330, exhibit subtle style changes, though these are hard to perceive in the overall building. The 19th-century work faithfully follows the medieval forms and techniques, as can be seen by comparing it with the original medieval plan on parchment.

The Cologne Cathedral contains many original liturgical appointments in the choir, including the high altar, which sits on an enormous monolithic slab of black limestone, believed to be the largest in any Christian church. The carved oak choir stalls, painted choir screens, the fourteen statues on the pillars in the choir, and the great cycle of stained-glass windows, which are the largest existent cycle of early 14th-century windows in Europe, are also part of the original liturgical appointments.

The cathedral also houses several artistic masterpieces, including the Gero Crucifix, which was transferred from the pre-Romanesque predecessor of the present cathedral, and the Shrine of the Magi, which is the largest reliquary shrine in Europe. Other artistic masterpieces include the altarpiece of St. Clare, the altarpiece of the City Patrons by Stephan Lochner, and the altarpiece of St. Agilolphus in the south transept.

The Cologne Cathedral is a powerful testimony to the strength and persistence of Christian belief in medieval and modern Europe. It is Germany's most visited landmark, attracting an average of 6 million people a year.

It's the world's third-largest Gothic-style cathedral

Cologne Cathedral, officially known as Hohe Domkirche Sankt Petrus (Cathedral Church of Saint Peter), is a renowned monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture. It is the largest Gothic church in northern Europe and the third-tallest church of any kind in the world. The cathedral's immense twin towers stand at 157 metres (approximately 515 feet) tall, making it the tallest twin-spired church in the world.

The construction of this Gothic masterpiece took place in several stages over seven centuries, with builders inspired by the same faith and a spirit of absolute fidelity to the original plans. The foundation stone was laid in 1248, and the eastern arm was completed and consecrated in 1322. However, construction was halted around 1560, leaving the cathedral unfinished for centuries. Work to complete the cathedral began around 1814, but it was not until the 1840s that the project received proper funding. The edifice was finally completed according to its original medieval plan in 1880, with the towers for its two huge spires giving it the largest façade of any church in the world.

The cathedral's Gothic architecture is a testament to the enduring strength of European Christianity. It features 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 reach 19.80 metres. The original liturgical appointments of the choir are still largely intact, including the high altar, which has an enormous monolithic slab of black limestone believed to be the largest in any Christian church.

The completion of Cologne Cathedral, Germany's largest cathedral, was celebrated as a national event in 1880, 632 years after construction began. It is Germany's most visited landmark, attracting approximately six million people each year.

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