Cologne Cathedral: Standing Tall And Proud

The Cologne Cathedral, also known as the Kölner Dom, is a renowned monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture. Construction began in 1248 but was halted in the years around 1560. Attempts to complete the construction began around 1814, and the edifice was completed to its original medieval plan in 1880. The cathedral suffered fourteen hits by aerial bombs during World War II but remained standing. Repairs of the war damage were completed in 1956. The cathedral is a major attraction for tourists and pilgrims and is one of the oldest and most important pilgrimage sites of Northern Europe.

The cathedral's long construction

The construction of the Cologne Cathedral is a story that spans centuries. The cathedral's long construction 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 construction was undertaken in several stages, with the eastern arm completed and consecrated in 1322. This initial phase of construction was halted in the 1470s, leaving the south tower complete up to the belfry level, crowned with a large crane that became a distinctive part of the Cologne skyline for the next 400 years.

Work on the structure of the nave between the west front and the eastern arm proceeded intermittently during the 15th and 16th centuries but eventually came to a standstill. The project stalled for centuries, and the cathedral remained unfinished. During the 1790s, French Revolutionary troops occupied Cologne and used the cathedral as a stable and hay barn. Restoration work began in the 1820s, led by Sulpiz Boisserée, a proponent of the Gothic Revival movement.

In 1842, a new cornerstone was laid by King Frederick William IV of Prussia, and work to complete the cathedral resumed in earnest. The architects Ernst Friedrich Zwirner and Richard Voigtel led the project, following the original medieval plans and drawings. More modern construction techniques were employed, including the use of iron roof girders. The completion of Germany's largest cathedral was celebrated as a national event on October 15, 1880, 632 years after construction had begun.

Even after its official completion, the cathedral required ongoing finishing work and renovations. The cathedral is constructed from different types of rock, which weather at varying rates and require continuous maintenance. The stonemasons and stone sculptors remain essential due to the extensive conservation work needed. The Cologne Cathedral remains a testament to the enduring strength of European Christianity and the faith that inspired its builders over centuries.

The cathedral's art and relics

The Cologne Cathedral is renowned for its art and relics, attracting millions of visitors each year. The Shrine of the Three Kings is perhaps the cathedral's most celebrated relic and work of art. This shrine, a large gilded and decorated triple sarcophagus, is believed to contain the bones of the Biblical Magi, also known as the Three Kings or the Three Wise Men. It is considered the high point of Mosan art and one of the largest reliquaries in the Western world.

The shrine was crafted by the famous medieval goldsmith Nicholas of Verdun and other skilled artisans between 1180 and 1225. It features intricate decorations that narrate the stories of the Three Magi, the Virgin Mary, and the life of Christ through figures meticulously rendered in gold-plated silver. The shrine is adorned with over 1,000 jewels and beads, including cameos and intaglio pieces, some of which pre-date Christianity.

Another significant relic housed in the cathedral is the 4th-century St. Peter's Staff, which can be found in the underground treasure chamber along with numerous other reliquaries, liturgical utensils, vestments, and manuscripts. The cathedral is also known for its impressive collection of stained glass windows, including the famous Bible Window, which is located in the central chapel of the ambulatory. These windows, with their vivid colours and intricate designs, illuminate the interior of the cathedral with biblical stories and symbols.

In addition to its renowned relics, the Cologne Cathedral boasts several other important works of art. Near the high altar is the massive gold Shrine of the Three Kings, a masterpiece of medieval goldwork. The altarpiece in the Lady Chapel, entitled "The Adoration of the Magi", was crafted by Stefan Lochner, a master of the Cologne school. The cathedral also houses the Gero Crucifix, the oldest large crucifix north of the Alps, and the Mailänder Madonna, a High Gothic carving of the Virgin Mary and the infant Jesus.

The cathedral's windows

The Cologne Cathedral boasts 10,000 square metres of windows, making it the church with the largest window area in the world. The windows are a key part of the cathedral's design, intended to flood the interior with light, symbolising the omnipotence and closeness of God. The windows include coloured surfaces and picture windows that depict biblical stories.

The clerestory windows in the choir of the cathedral contain the largest series of stained glass windows from the 14th century still in existence in Europe. Ninety-five per cent of the glass is original, dating back to before 1311. The oldest window in the cathedral is the famous Bible Window, located in the central chapel of the ambulatory. Other medieval windows have been preserved, while others have been restored according to old sketches.

In the 19th century, as the building neared completion, there was a desire to increase the number of windows. This was facilitated by Kaiser Wilhelm I, who donated French bronze cannons captured between 1870 and 1871 to be melted down for the project.

In 2007, a new stained glass window was installed in the south transept, designed by German artist Gerhard Richter. The window consists of 11,263 squares of glass in 72 colours, arranged randomly to create an abstract tapestry of colour that changes with the light. The colours were chosen to match those used in the medieval windows and the neo-medieval windows of the 19th century.

The cathedral's resilience during World War II

The resilience of the Cologne Cathedral during World War II is a testament to its sturdy construction and the efforts of those who sought to protect it.

The Cologne Cathedral, a renowned monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture, stood tall amidst the ruins of the city during World War II. The city of Cologne was subjected to 262 separate air raids by the Allies, resulting in the deaths of 20,000 civilians and the destruction of a significant portion of the city.

The cathedral itself suffered fourteen hits by aerial bombs and was heavily damaged. However, it remained standing, with its structure looming above the rest of the ruined city. The twin spires of the cathedral, rising to a height of approximately 157 meters (515 feet), served as an easily recognizable navigational landmark for the Allied aircraft conducting the raids. The attacking pilots used the cathedral as a reference point for their raids, which may have contributed to the building not being completely destroyed. Additionally, lower-level bombers, which were more accurate in hitting their targets, were not commonly used during the war.

The resilience of the cathedral can be attributed to its solid construction. The medieval builders of the cathedral planned a grand structure to house the reliquary of the Three Kings and to serve as a place of worship for the Holy Roman Emperor. The cathedral was built very solidly from a structural point of view, and its stone structure has withstood the test of time. The use of iron rafters instead of wooden ones also contributed to its resilience during the war.

Efforts were also made to protect the cathedral and its treasures during the war. Army Chaplain and future Archbishop Philip Hannan devoted himself to safeguarding the cathedral and its artefacts. With the help of a local priest, he located the Archbishop of Cologne, Josef Frings, who authorized Hannan to protect the cathedral and its contents. Hannan established a guard post and worked to retrieve any church property that had been taken. Additionally, the Monuments Men of the MFAA (Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives Division) began procuring building materials for first aid repairs to bolster the cathedral and other important monuments in Cologne immediately after the war ended.

The cathedral's maintenance

The Cologne Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Germany. It is the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe and features immense twin towers that stand 157 metres tall. The cathedral's annual budget is between six and seven million euros, most of which goes to staff. About 100 people from the Dombauhütte (cathedral masonry office) work every day to maintain the cathedral.

The cathedral is made of different types of stone, such as trachyte and sandstone. Many sculptures and canopies are made of limestone. The black patina has been a characteristic feature of the cathedral for centuries due to weathering, soot and biofouling. The cathedral's stone structure requires continuous maintenance and renovation. Repair and maintenance work is constantly being carried out on the building, which is rarely free of scaffolding.

The cathedral is also subject to sporadic earthquake damage. For example, during the 1992 Roermond earthquake, a 400kg finial on the eastern pinnacle of the southern transept gable broke off, smashed through the roof and damaged the roof truss. Regular renovation work is required to address such damage.

The cathedral is also affected by the emission of pollutants, which has accelerated the weathering of building materials. Dust pollution is a particular problem in Cologne, and very high concentrations of lead have been detected in dust samples collected from the cathedral. The lead accumulates in the black crust, especially close to the limestone crust interface.

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