Cologne Cathedral: Stained Glass Windows And War Protection

The Cologne Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece, has been part of the city of Cologne for almost 800 years. The cathedral's stained glass windows, which are considered works of art, were not exempt from damage during World War II. Some windows were destroyed and others were removed for protection. The original designs of some windows were lost, and reconstruction efforts are still ongoing.

The stained glass windows were removed and stored for protection during World War II

The removal and protection of stained glass windows during World War II was a complex and challenging task, and the same was true for the windows of Cologne Cathedral. The windows were removed for protection, but the process was not without obstacles and controversies.

The protection of stained glass windows during World War II was a significant concern for heritage conservationists and art historians in Germany. Between 1940 and 1942, some of the most important historical stained glass windows in various German cities, including Cologne, were removed and stored safely. This provided an opportunity for academic research, as the deinstalled glass panels could be studied and documented from both sides. However, the process of 'art protection' in Germany during the war was surprisingly uncoordinated and financially complicated.

Cologne Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece and one of the icons of German art and history, presented a unique challenge for the protection of its stained glass windows. The cathedral architect initially resisted the removal of the windows, arguing that such measures had caused damage during World War I. However, in the summer of 1939, the architect began to erect wooden panels on the inside and outside of the medieval stained glass windows for protection.

The removal of the medieval windows was eventually completed in October 1940, with the help of the cathedral's staff and freelance glaziers from Cologne. The windows were initially stored in the cellar of the archbishop's palace but were later moved to a bunker south of the cathedral. During 1941, the most valuable nineteenth-century stained glass windows were also partially removed, and immovable works of art were protected with sandbags.

Despite these protective measures, Cologne Cathedral was severely damaged during a bombing raid in 1942, with the cathedral being three-quarters destroyed. Fortunately, the art bunker survived, and in 1947, the medieval stained glass panels were reinstalled in the reconstructed window openings.

The story of the stained glass windows of Cologne Cathedral during World War II highlights the complexities and challenges of protecting cultural heritage during times of conflict. The removal and storage of the windows ensured their survival, but it was a difficult and contentious process, and the cathedral itself suffered significant damage. The experience also demonstrated the importance of coordinated and well-funded efforts in safeguarding valuable artworks during wartime.

Some windows were destroyed during World War II and replaced in 1948

The Cologne Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece, has been part of the city of Cologne for almost 800 years. Construction began in 1248 and was completed in 1880. The cathedral is adorned with beautiful stained glass windows, some of which were added during construction, while others were installed later.

Many of the cathedral's windows were damaged during World War II and had to undergo reconstruction. The Stained Glass Window in the south transept, designed by Cologne artist Gerhard Richter, was among those destroyed during the war. The window, inaugurated on 25 August 2007, replaced the original window from 1863, which had been donated by the Kingdom of Prussia. The new window, an abstract design, was created using 11,263 glass squares in 72 colours, arranged randomly with some selected in response to the architectural context.

The window in the south transept was not the only one that needed to be replaced after the war. The St. Paul Window, originally from 1864, was completely destroyed during World War II and was reconstructed between 1992 and 1994. The brilliant colour of this window stands out when compared to some of the older windows in the cathedral. Another window that underwent reconstruction is the Life of Christ Window, originally from 1884. All but two panels of this window were destroyed during the war and reconstruction was completed in 2005.

The windows of the Cologne Cathedral that were destroyed or damaged during World War II are a reminder of the devastating impact of conflict on cultural heritage. The reconstruction and replacement of these windows demonstrate the resilience and dedication of those who worked to restore the cathedral to its former glory.

The windows were designed by Cologne artist Gerhard Richter

The windows of the Cologne Cathedral were indeed removed during World War II, and replaced in 1948 by a simple ornamental glazing by Wilhelm Teuwen. However, these too were unsatisfactory and in need of restoration, as the colourless glass allowed very bright light to enter the cathedral, which was perceived as disturbing.

In 2003, the cathedral chapter decided to have the window renewed. The new window was designed by Cologne artist Gerhard Richter and was inaugurated on 25 August 2007 as part of a Eucharistic celebration. The window is located in the south transept of the cathedral and measures 106 square metres. It is made up of 11,263 glass squares in 72 colours, each measuring 9.6 cm by 9.6 cm. The squares were arranged randomly, with some selected in response to the architectural context.

Richter chose 72 colours that were also used in the medieval windows of the cathedral and those of the 19th century. He used a random number generator to arrange the coloured squares, with some manual adjustments to avoid suggestive meanings, such as in the lower part, where the arrangement of the pixels formed the number "1". Richter wanted the window to be restrained and as neutral as possible, creating an abstract 'colour-tone carpet' that changes with the incidence of light.

The window was fabricated by Derix Glasstudios and funded by about 1,200 donors, with Richter himself working without a fee. The total manufacturing costs amounted to €370,000.

The windows were fabricated by Derix Glasstudios

The stained-glass windows of the Cologne Cathedral were indeed removed during World War II, along with other important historical stained glass windows across Germany. The windows of the cathedral were removed in October 1940 and stored in the cellar of the archbishop's palace. However, when that building was destroyed, they were moved to a bunker south of the cathedral.

The current stained glass window in the south transept of the Cologne Cathedral was fabricated by Derix Glasstudios. Derix Glasstudios was founded in 1866 and is dedicated to the fabrication of architectural art glass. The company has over 150 years of experience and collaborates with artists, designers, architects, and project developers to translate artistic designs into glass. They also restore historic valuable art glass worldwide.

In 1999, Derix established Derix U.S. to better serve customers in North America and meet the needs of contemporary architecture. The company aims to expand the role of artistic glass in architecture beyond ecclesiastical feature windows to include walls, ceilings, sculptures, curtain walls, canopies, columns, and towers.

Derix Glasstudios fabricated the "Richter-Fenster" for the Cologne Cathedral. This window covers 106 square meters and consists of over 11,000 hand-blown glass panels in 72 different colours and shades. The panels were accurately ground and laminated onto safety glass using black silicone bars. The window was designed by Cologne artist Gerhard Richter and was inaugurated on 25 August 2007 as part of a Eucharistic celebration.

The abstract design of the window has been both celebrated and strongly criticized. Some have praised it as a "symphony of light" that creates a "flair that opens for the religious." However, Cologne Cardinal Joachim Meisner, who was not part of the cathedral chapter, strongly criticized the window, stating that it "belongs equally in a mosque or another house of prayer."

The windows were funded by about 1,200 donors

The stained glass window in the south transept of Cologne Cathedral was designed by the Cologne artist Gerhard Richter. The window was inaugurated on 25 August 2007 as part of a Eucharistic celebration. The window was designed to be an abstract memorial to the German martyrs of the twentieth century, such as Edith Stein and Maximilian Kolbe, and to commemorate the Holocaust. The €370,000 in manufacturing costs were funded by about 1,200 donors, and Gerhard Richter himself worked without a fee.

The window consists of 11,263 glass squares in 72 colours, arranged randomly on a surface of 106 square metres. The colours were chosen from a palette of 800, and were also used in the medieval windows of the cathedral and those of the 19th century. The squares were arranged by a random number generator, with some corrections made by Richter to avoid any suggestive meanings. This interaction of chance and calculation created an abstract 'colour-tone carpet' that changes with the incidence of light.

The window was fabricated by Derix Glasstudios and replaced an unsatisfactory modern piece that had been installed after World War II. The original 19th-century window, which was destroyed in the war, depicted secular and Christian rulers and was donated by the Kingdom of Prussia.

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