Cologne Cathedral: A Place Of Worship And Wonder

The Cologne Cathedral is a Roman Catholic church located in Cologne, Germany. Construction began in 1248 but was halted around 1560 due to a lack of funding. Attempts to restart construction took place over the next 300 years, but with little success. Finally, in the 1840s, there was a push from the public and the Protestant Prussian Court to finish the cathedral, and funding was raised. The cathedral was completed in 1880 and is currently Germany's most visited landmark, attracting around 20,000 visitors per day.

The cathedral's history

The history of the Cologne Cathedral is a long and fascinating one, spanning centuries and featuring many challenges, setbacks and a long break in construction. Here is a detailed overview of the cathedral's history:

The Early Years

The site of the Cologne Cathedral has been occupied by Christian churches since the 4th century. The first bishop of Cologne was Maternus, who led the Christian community in the 4th century. Initially, they gathered in a residential building on the cathedral hill, which was later replaced by an episcopal church built by the Merovingian petty kings in the 6th century.

The Old Cathedral

In Carolingian times, around the 9th century, the Old Cathedral, also known as Hildebold Cathedral, was constructed on Cologne Cathedral Hill. This cathedral was consecrated in 870 and became one of the largest Carolingian churches, serving as a model for numerous churches in the early Holy Roman Empire.

The Shrine of the Three Kings

In 1164, the Archbishop of Cologne, Reinald von Dassel, brought the supposed bones of the Three Wise Men from Milan to the Old Cathedral. This event elevated the cathedral's status, making it one of the most important pilgrimage churches in Europe. To accommodate the influx of pilgrims, a new Gothic cathedral was planned.

Construction Begins

Construction of the present Cologne Cathedral began in 1248, following the Gothic style of the time. The foundation stone was laid by Archbishop Konrad von Hochstaden, and the project was led by Master Gerhard, the first master builder. However, construction proceeded slowly, with repeated interruptions due to war, financial difficulties, and changing architectural styles.

Completion and Restoration

The eastern part of the cathedral was completed and consecrated in 1322, but construction continued intermittently until it stalled around 1560 due to a lack of funding. For almost 300 years, the project remained dormant, with a large wooden crane left standing at the top of the south tower. It wasn't until the 19th century that efforts to complete the cathedral resumed. In 1842, King Frederick William IV of Prussia laid a new cornerstone, and work restarted under the direction of architects Ernst Friedrich Zwirner and Richard Voigtel.

World War II and Post-War Years

During World War II, the Cologne Cathedral suffered damage from Allied air raids but remained standing. Repairs were completed by 1956, and the cathedral was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. To this day, constant renovation and maintenance work is required to preserve the structure.

The building's design

The design of the Cologne Cathedral was inspired by the northern French model and the most modern architectural style of the time: the Gothic style. The original design was made by stonemason Gerhard of Reil, who took inspiration from other cathedrals designed and built across Europe. The idea behind his design was to build a cathedral that, from above, looked like a Latin Cross, which is standard for most Gothic cathedrals.

The ground plan design of the cathedral was based closely on that of Amiens Cathedral, as is the style and the width-to-height proportion of the central nave. The plan is in the shape of a Latin Cross, as is usual with Gothic cathedrals. It has two aisles on either side, which help support one of the very highest Gothic vaults in the world. Externally, the outward thrust of the vault is taken by flying buttresses in the French manner. The eastern end has a single ambulatory, and the second aisle resolves into a chevet of seven radiating chapels.

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 are 19.80m. The western section, nave and transept, which began in 1330, changes in style, but this is not perceptible in the overall building. The 19th-century work follows the medieval forms and techniques faithfully, as can be seen by comparing it with the original medieval plan on parchment.

The cathedral's towers give it the largest façade of any church in the world. It is the tallest twin-spired church in the world and the second-tallest church in Europe. At the time of its completion, it was believed to be the world's tallest structure, a distinction it held until 1884 when the Washington Monument was finished.

The interior of the cathedral is equally stunning. With some of the highest walls of a church in the world, the features across the ceiling are a testament to the artistry of the builders and their construction ingenuity. Gothic cathedral interiors are known for their emphasis on high ceilings and light-filled spaces, designed to reflect the deity they worship. This led to innovations like large vaulted ceilings, large stained-glass windows, pointed arches that provide more space for light, and flying buttresses.

The construction process

Construction of the Cologne Cathedral began in 1248, with the first foundation stone 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 original plan was to build a cathedral that, from above, looked to be in the shape of a Latin Cross, which is standard for most Gothic cathedrals.

The eastern arm was completed under the direction of Master Gerhard, the first master builder of Cologne Cathedral, in 1322. Construction continued until about 1560 before running out of funding. One of the reasons construction stopped was that Gothic architecture had lost its place and value in society.

In the 1840s, there was a push by the public and the Protestant Prussian Court to finish the cathedral. With the power of the city and its citizens, as well as government organisations, funding was raised and construction was restarted in 1842. The first new foundation stone of the restarted build was laid by King Frederick William IV.

The cathedral was finally completed in 1880, 632 years after construction began. The tallest building in the world at the time, it stood at 157 metres (515 feet) tall. The completion of Germany's largest cathedral was celebrated as a national event, attended by Emperor Wilhelm I.

The cathedral's art and architecture

The Cologne Cathedral is a Gothic masterpiece that was constructed over seven centuries, with builders inspired by the same faith and a spirit of absolute fidelity to the original plans. The cathedral is a testament to the enduring strength of European Christianity.

The cathedral is a High Gothic five-aisled basilica with a projecting transept and a tower façade. The nave is 43.58 m high, and the side aisles reach 19.80 m. The west section, nave, and transept, which began construction in 1330, feature a slight style change, though it is not noticeable in the overall building. The 19th-century work faithfully follows the medieval forms and techniques, as can be seen when compared to the original medieval plan.

The original liturgical appointments of the choir are still largely present. These include the high altar, with a monolithic slab of black limestone believed to be the largest in any Christian church; the carved oak choir stalls from 1308-11; the painted choir screens from 1332-40; the fourteen statues on the pillars in the choir from the 1300s; and the great cycle of stained-glass windows, the largest early 14th-century collection in Europe. There is also a series of tombs of twelve archbishops from 976 to 1612.

The art treasures of the Cologne Cathedral are varied. Near the high altar is the Shrine of the Three Kings, a massive gold reliquary containing what are said to be relics of the Magi. The shrine is a masterpiece of medieval goldwork by the goldsmith Nicholas of Verdun, begun in 1182 and completed in about 1220. The altarpiece in the Lady Chapel is a triptych entitled The Adoration of the Magi, made by Stefan Lochner, a master painter of the Cologne school. The cathedral's oldest stained-glass windows date back to the 13th century. A more modern stained-glass window by the artist Gerhard Richter consists of over 11,000 panes of coloured glass in 72 solid colours, seemingly arranged at random.

The cathedral's exterior is famous for its extravagant use of tracery, flying buttresses, stone sculpture, pinnacles, and lofty porticos. The presence of a deep westwork, which shortens the nave and creates a sense of centrality, is a possible holdover from local traditions. The medieval choir features a tall arcade and a narrow triforium gallery with detailed tracery and windows. The clerestory windows are tall, with some original stained glass in the lower sections, and the vault has a plain quadripartite arrangement. The 'modern' aspects of the cathedral include the adoption of a clustered arcade pier and a luminous glazed triforium.

The building's preservation

The Cologne Cathedral is a monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1996. The cathedral is a renowned landmark, attracting an average of 6 million visitors per year.

The cathedral's construction began in 1248 but was halted around 1560 due to a lack of funding. Attempts to complete the construction began around 1814, but the project was not properly funded until the 1840s. During this 300-year break, the structure suffered damage and deterioration. When construction resumed, it was guided by a respect for the original design, with architects Ernst Friedrich Zwirner and Richard Voigtel taking ownership of the process.

The cathedral's preservation is an ongoing process. The building is constantly undergoing repair and maintenance work to counteract the effects of wind, rain, and pollution on its stone structure. The Dombauhütte, a workshop established to build and maintain the cathedral, employs skilled stonemasons for this purpose. The organisation has tested numerous methods to preserve the cathedral's stones, but a convincing solution has not yet been found.

The cathedral's iron anchors and dowels are also beginning to rust and will need to be replaced with steel parts to prevent cracking the stones. In addition, sporadic earthquake damage requires regular renovation work. For example, during the 1992 Roermond earthquake, a 400 kg finial broke off the southern transept gable, damaging the roof truss.

In the late 20th century, work began to repair the effects of acid rain on the stonework. The Schlaitdorf sandstone, used from 1842 onwards, has shown the most intensive weathering and is constantly being renewed. While basalt lava from Londorf was initially used as a replacement, the cathedral master builders now endeavour to carry out restoration with stones that match the original sandstone as closely as possible.

In 2021, a remote-controlled drone took 200,000 high-resolution photos of the cathedral's façade, creating a detailed digital 3D model. This model enables precise documentation of the current condition and the need for conservation and restoration, even in remote areas.

The Cologne Cathedral's preservation is a testament to the dedication of those involved in its construction and maintenance over the centuries. It stands as a symbol of perseverance and the enduring strength of European Christianity.

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