The Construction Of Cologne Cathedral: A Historical Overview

The construction of Cologne Cathedral, a towering Gothic masterpiece, took place in several stages over 632 years, from 1248 to 1880. The site of the cathedral has been occupied by Christian churches since the 4th century, and an older cathedral was destroyed by fire in 1248, after which work began on the present structure. The building was designed in the Gothic style, emulating French church architecture, and was conceived as a worthy home for the shrine of the Three Wise Men, which had been brought to Cologne in 1164.

The cathedral's long construction history

The construction of Cologne Cathedral, a monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture, is a story that spans over six centuries. The cathedral's long history of construction began in 1248, but the site has been occupied by Christian churches since the 4th century.

The first church on the site was a small, residential building where Cologne's Christian community gathered. In the 6th century, the Merovingian kings built an episcopal church, which served as a burial place for the royal family. In the 9th century, the church was rebuilt as a Carolingian cathedral, consecrated in 870.

The construction of the present Gothic cathedral began in 1248, after the previous cathedral was destroyed by fire. The foundation stone was laid by Archbishop Konrad von Hochstaden, and the master mason, Ferhard (also known as Master Gerhard), directed the work. By 1265, the choir and its aisles were completed and could be used for services. The cathedral was consecrated in 1322, and construction continued until around 1560, when it was halted due to a lack of funding.

During this initial phase of construction, the choir, the foundation for the south tower, and the two bells, Pretiosa and Speciosa, were completed. Work also progressed on the transept, the side aisles, and the north tower. However, the project stalled for almost 300 years due to financial difficulties, the Reformation, and the Thirty Years' War.

Attempts to restart construction were made in the 1790s, but it wasn't until the 19th century that work truly resumed. In 1842, a new cornerstone was laid by King Frederick William IV of Prussia, and architects Ernst Friedrich Zwirner and Richard Voigtel led the project, following the original medieval plans. The interior was completed by 1863, and the last stone was laid in 1880, marking the end of 632 years of construction.

Even after its completion, the cathedral has required continuous maintenance and restoration due to damage from pollution, acid rain, and earthquakes. Despite these challenges, Cologne Cathedral stands as a testament to the perseverance and dedication of those who built it, and it remains one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city.

The site's religious significance

The site of Cologne Cathedral has been occupied by Christian churches since the 4th century. The earliest traces of a Christian church can be dated to this period, and the remains of a 6th-century baptistery have also been discovered. In the 6th century, a small church was extended and provided with an east choir. By the 9th century, the church had been rebuilt and was consecrated in 870.

In the 12th century, the Archbishop of Cologne, Reinald von Dassel, brought the supposed bones of the Three Wise Men to the city from Milan. A shrine was constructed to house these relics, and the Old Cathedral became one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Europe. The placement of these bones in a precious shrine was not enough to satisfy the flow of pilgrims, and so a new, Gothic cathedral was commissioned.

The construction of the new cathedral began in 1248, but the project stalled in the 16th century, and it was not completed until 1880. During the 300-year hiatus, the site was occupied by a partially constructed cathedral, with a large wooden crane standing some 184 feet above the ground. The crane remained in place for 400 years.

The site of Cologne Cathedral has been a place of Christian worship for over 1500 years. 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 building's Gothic architecture

The Cologne Cathedral is a Gothic masterpiece, and one of the tallest churches in the world. Construction began in 1248, and the building was not completed until 1880, 632 years later. The cathedral's design was inspired by French church architecture, and the original plans were created by stonemason Gerhard of Reil. The building is in the shape of a Latin Cross, which is standard for most Gothic cathedrals. The cathedral's interior is equally stunning, with some of the highest walls of any church in the world.

Gothic cathedral interiors are known for their high ceilings and light-filled spaces, designed to reflect the deity they worship. This led to architectural innovations such as large vaulted ceilings, large stained-glass windows, pointed arches, and flying buttresses. These designs led to many innovations that changed the standard post and beam buildings.

The cathedral's exterior is dominated by its immense twin spires, which stand at 515 feet (157 meters) tall. The towers give the cathedral the largest façade of any church in the world. The towers are entirely Germanic in character and are openwork, similar to those of Ulm, Vienna, Strasbourg, and Regensburg Cathedrals.

The Cologne Cathedral is constructed from different types of rock, including Schlaitdorf sandstone, trachyte from the Drachenfels, and basalt lava from Londorf. The filigree buttresses and arches are exposed to the elements and are susceptible to water damage, air pollution, and bird droppings. The softer sandstone used from 1842 onwards for the upper parts of the nave and transept weathers most intensively and requires constant renewal.

The role of the Archbishop of Cologne

The Archbishop of Cologne played a pivotal role in the construction of the Cologne Cathedral, which began in 1248 and was completed in 1880. The Archbishop at the time, Konrad von Hochstaden, laid the foundation stone for the new cathedral building on 15 August 1248. This was a significant moment in the history of the cathedral, as it marked the beginning of construction on a new Gothic-style cathedral to replace the older structure.

The Archbishop of Cologne also had a significant role in acquiring and housing important relics, such as the Shrine of the Three Kings, which enhanced the cathedral's status as an important pilgrimage site. In 1164, Archbishop Rainald von Dassel brought the supposed bones of the Three Wise Men from Milan to Cologne, elevating the cathedral's significance in the Christian world. This act transformed the modest Old Cathedral into one of the most important pilgrimage churches in Europe, necessitating the construction of a new, grand Gothic cathedral to accommodate the influx of pilgrims.

The Archbishop's role extended beyond the initial construction phase, as they oversaw the ongoing work and maintenance of the cathedral over the centuries. The cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Cologne and the administration of the Archdiocese of Cologne, solidifying its importance in the Catholic Church.

In the 19th century, when Prussia annexed the Rhineland and Cologne became part of the Prussian state, the Archbishop continued to play a role in the restoration and completion of the cathedral. Under the direction of the architect Ernst Friedrich Zwirner, extensive restoration work was carried out from 1842, and the interior of the cathedral was consecrated in 1848. The completion of the cathedral in 1880 was a significant event, marking the end of more than 600 years of construction.

The cathedral's restoration and repairs

The restoration and repairs of the Cologne Cathedral have been extensive, given its long history of construction spanning several centuries. The cathedral suffered damage during World War II and underwent significant repairs both internally and externally.

Post-War Repairs

After World War II, the cathedral's interior was restored in phases. The choir was restored between 1945 and 1948, and the rest of the interior was completed by 1956. The exterior restoration began in 1952, with a new stone, basaltic lava from Londorf, being used to repair the damage. Repairs to the northwest tower, which had been carried out during the war using poor-quality brick, were finally restored to their original appearance in 2005.

19th-Century Restoration

In the 19th century, there was a Romantic enthusiasm for the Middle Ages, and the discovery of the original plan for the façade spurred the completion of the cathedral. Restoration work began in the 1820s, led by Sulpiz Boisserée, a German proponent of the Gothic Revival movement. A new cornerstone was laid in 1842 by King Frederick William IV of Prussia, marking the resumption of construction. Extensive restoration was carried out under the direction of the architect Ernst Friedrich Zwirner, with work also beginning on the reconstruction of the north tower, which had collapsed in the 18th century. The cathedral's interior was consecrated in 1848, and the final stone was laid in 1880.

Ongoing Maintenance

The Cologne Cathedral requires regular renovation and maintenance due to the effects of wind, rain, and pollution on its stone structure. The Dombauhütte, established to build and maintain the cathedral, employs skilled stonemasons for this purpose. The cathedral is rarely free of scaffolding, as constant care is needed to preserve the building. Repairs are also required due to earthquake damage, such as the 1992 Roermond earthquake, which caused finials to loosen and break.

Modern Innovations

In the late 20th century, work began to repair the effects of acid rain on the stonework, which had severely discoloured the stones. While measures to control air pollution have helped reduce the level of pollution, the search for a convincing method to preserve the stones continues. Additionally, the iron anchors and dowels holding the architectural decorations are rusting and need to be replaced with steel parts.

Drone Technology

In 2021, a drone was used to capture 200,000 high-resolution photos of the cathedral's façade, creating a detailed digital 3D model. This technology provides an accurate representation of the current condition of the cathedral, aiding in the documentation of conservation and restoration needs.

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