Cologne Cathedral Vs Notre Dame: A Size Comparison

Cologne Cathedral and Notre Dame are two of the most famous Gothic cathedrals in Europe. Both are known for their intricate architecture, stunning design, and beautiful stained glass windows. While there is no definitive answer as to which is bigger, Cologne Cathedral, with its towering spires, wider nave, and taller height, is undoubtedly more imposing and is considered one of the largest Gothic churches in Northern Europe.

Cologne Cathedral's height

The height of the Cologne Cathedral is 157 metres (approximately 515 feet). This measurement makes it the tallest twin-spired church in the world. The cathedral's towers are approximately 157 metres tall, giving it the largest façade of any church in the world.

The height of the cathedral's nave is 43.58 metres, and its side aisles are 19.80 metres. The cathedral is 144.5 metres long and its transept is 86.25 metres wide.

The construction of the cathedral began in 1248 and was halted in 1473, leaving it unfinished. Work restarted in the 19th century and was completed in 1880. The Cologne 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 millions of visitors each year.

Notre Dame's height

The Notre Dame Cathedral, also known as Notre Dame de Paris or simply Notre Dame, is a medieval Catholic cathedral located on the Île de la Cité in the River Seine, in the 4th arrondissement of Paris, France. Construction of the cathedral began in the 12th century, with the majority of the work completed by the 13th century. However, modifications and additions continued over the following centuries.

The cathedral's height has been a subject of interest, and it stands at several different heights in different parts of the structure. Here is a detailed breakdown of the heights at various sections of the cathedral:

• The tower height of the cathedral is 226 feet or 69 meters.
• The nave roof reaches a height of 115 feet or 35 meters.
• The height under the nave roof is 43 meters or 141 feet.
• The vault height of the nave and choir is 33 meters or 108 feet.
• The spire, which was destroyed in a fire in 2019, stood at 315 feet or 96 meters.

These varying heights contribute to the overall grandeur and architectural complexity of the Notre Dame Cathedral. The cathedral's soaring spires, intricate stone carvings, and stunning stained glass windows have captivated people worldwide, making it one of the most beloved monuments in Paris and the world.

Cologne Cathedral's construction

Construction of the Cologne Cathedral, a monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture, began in 1248. The first foundation stone was laid by Archbishop Konrad von Hochstaden in August of that year. The cathedral was designed according to the northern French model and the most modern architectural style of the time: the Gothic style.

The eastern arm of the cathedral was completed under the direction of Master Gerhard, the first master builder, and was consecrated in 1322. However, construction was halted in the 15th or 16th century, and the cathedral remained unfinished for almost 300 years. Attempts to restart construction were made during this period, but with little success. It wasn't until the 1840s that there was a push from the public and the Protestant Prussian Court to complete the cathedral. Funding was raised, and construction finally resumed in 1842, with King Frederick William IV laying the first new foundation stone.

The relaunch of the building remained faithful to the original plans and blueprints. Architects Ernst Friedrich Zwirner and Richard Voigtel, who oversaw the project in the 19th century, had great respect for the original designs and made few alterations. The nave was completed, and the towers were added, with the bells installed in the 1870s.

The completion of Germany's largest cathedral was celebrated as a national event on 15 October 1880, 632 years after construction had begun. With a height of 157 .38 metres (516.3 ft), it was the tallest building in the world for four years.

Notre Dame's construction

Construction of Notre Dame, the medieval Catholic cathedral on the Île de la Cité in Paris, began in 1160 or 1180 under Bishop Maurice de Sully and was mostly complete by 1260. The cathedral is considered to be among the best examples of French Gothic architecture. Its pioneering use of the rib vault and flying buttress, its enormous and vibrant rose windows, and the naturalism and prosperity of its sculptural decoration set it apart from the previous Romanesque style.

In the 1790s, Notre-Dame suffered desecration during the French Revolution, and much of its religious imagery was damaged or destroyed. In the 19th century, the cathedral was the site of the coronation of Napoleon I and the funerals of several presidents of the French Republic.

In 1831, Victor Hugo's book "Notre-Dame de Paris" (better known in English as "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame") was published, sparking a renewed interest in the cathedral. This led to a major restoration project between 1844 and 1864, supervised by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc. Another cleaning and restoration project was carried out between 1991 and 2000.

On April 15, 2019, while Notre Dame was undergoing renovations, a fire broke out, destroying the roof and spire and causing serious damage to the cathedral. The French Parliament passed a law requiring that the cathedral be rebuilt exactly as it appeared before the fire. Reconstruction efforts began in 2021, and the cathedral is set to reopen on December 7, 2024, with renovations continuing until 2026.

The restoration process has involved the removal of scaffolding and lead dust from the site, the repair or replacement of key structural elements, and the restoration of various artifacts, including the Grand Organ, stained-glass windows, and wrought-iron railings. The reconstruction of the iconic spire has also commenced, with a newly crafted golden rooster sitting atop it to replace the original weathervane that was damaged in the fire. The total cost of the reconstruction is expected to be around €846 million (US$928 million), with much of the funding coming from donations.

Architectural styles

While there is no definitive answer as to whether Cologne Cathedral is bigger than Notre Dame, it is certainly taller and wider. Both are considered to be among the finest examples of Gothic architecture, with Notre Dame also showcasing elements of the previous Romanesque style.

Notre Dame

The construction of Notre Dame, a medieval Catholic cathedral in Paris, began in 1160 or 1180 under Bishop Maurice de Sully and was mostly complete by 1260, though it was modified several times in the following centuries. It is considered a masterpiece of French Gothic architecture, with its pioneering use of the rib vault and flying buttress, enormous rose windows, and intricate sculptural decoration. The cathedral is also known for its large historic organ and immense church bells.

Cologne Cathedral

Cologne Cathedral, a Catholic cathedral in Cologne, Germany, is the tallest twin-spired church in the world and the second-tallest church in Europe. Its construction began in 1248 but was halted around 1473, leaving it unfinished. Work restarted in the 19th century, and the cathedral was completed to its original plan in 1880. The cathedral features two massive twin spires that give it the largest façade of any church in the world. It is considered a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and a powerful testament to the strength and persistence of Christian belief in medieval and modern Europe.

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