Exploring Cologne: The City Of Cathedral Charm

Cologne Cathedral is a Roman Catholic church located in the city of Cologne, Germany. Construction of the cathedral began in 1248 and was completed in 1880, over 500 years later. It is the largest Gothic church in northern Europe, standing at 157 metres tall, and is Germany's most visited landmark, attracting around 6 million people each year.

Cologne Cathedral's history

Cologne Cathedral, officially the Hohe Domkirche Sankt Petrus (English: Cathedral Church of Saint Peter), is a Catholic cathedral in Cologne, Germany. It is Germany's most visited landmark, attracting around 6 million people annually. The cathedral is renowned for its Gothic architecture and is the largest church in Northern Europe. It features twin spires that stand at 157 metres (515 feet) tall, making it the tallest twin-spired church in the world.

History

The site of Cologne Cathedral has been occupied by Christian churches since the 4th century. The construction of the present cathedral began in 1248, after the previous cathedral was destroyed by fire. Designed in the Gothic style, the new cathedral was based on Northern French architecture and was the most modern architectural style of the time. The foundation stone was laid by Archbishop Konrad von Hochstaden in 1248, but construction halted around 1560, and the cathedral remained unfinished for centuries.

In the 1790s, French Revolutionary troops occupied Cologne and used the cathedral as a stable and hay barn. Restoration work began in the 1820s, and in 1842, a new cornerstone was laid by King Frederick William IV of Prussia. Under the direction of architects Ernst Friedrich Zwirner and Richard Voigtel, work to complete the cathedral resumed, following the original medieval plans. The cathedral was finally finished in 1880, 632 years after construction began.

During World War II, the cathedral was badly damaged by Allied air raids but remained standing. Repairs were completed in 1956. In 1996, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Architectural design

Cologne Cathedral, officially known as Hohe Domkirche Sankt Petrus (Cathedral Church of Saint Peter), is located in Cologne, Germany. It is a renowned monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1996. Construction of the cathedral began in 1248, after an older cathedral on the site was destroyed by fire. The new cathedral was designed in the Gothic style, emulating French church architecture.

The foundation stone was laid on 15 August 1248, by Archbishop Konrad von Hochstaden. The eastern arm was completed under Master Gerhard and was consecrated in 1322. This section features a French-style arrangement of a very tall arcade, a delicate narrow triforium gallery lit by windows and detailed tracery merging with the windows above. The clerestory windows are tall and retain some old figurative glass in the lower sections. The whole is united by tall shafts that sweep unbroken from the floor to their capitals at the spring of the vault. The vault is of plain quadripartite arrangement. The choir retains many of its original fittings, including carved stalls, despite desecration by French Revolutionary troops.

The construction of the cathedral was halted around 1560 and remained unfinished for centuries, with a large wooden crane left standing at the top of the south tower. Restoration work began in the 1820s, spurred by Sulpiz Boisserée, a German proponent of the Gothic Revival movement. A new cornerstone was laid by King Frederick William IV of Prussia in 1842, and work to complete the cathedral resumed in earnest under the architects Ernst Friedrich Zwirner and Richard Voigtel. The nave was completed, and the towers were added using more modern construction techniques, including iron roof girders. The largest bell, St Petersglocke, was 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 157.38m, it was the tallest building in the world for four years.

The cathedral is built from different types of rock, and its intricate buttresses and arches are exposed to the elements, requiring continuous maintenance and renovation. The stonemasons of the Dombauhütte are responsible for this work. The cathedral is dominated by its immense twin spires, which are entirely Germanic in character, being openwork like those of Ulm, Vienna, Strasbourg, and Regensburg Cathedrals.

Artworks and relics

Cologne Cathedral, located in the German city of the same name, is home to a plethora of artistic masterpieces and relics. The most celebrated artwork in the cathedral is the Shrine of the Three Kings, a massive reliquary in the shape of a basilican church. The shrine is made of bronze and silver, gilded and ornamented with architectonic details, figurative sculptures, enamels, and gemstones. It is believed to house the relics of the Three Wise Men, whose remains were acquired by Frederick Barbarossa during his invasion of Milan in 1164. The shrine, commissioned by Philip von Heinsberg, Archbishop of Cologne from 1167 to 1191, is considered one of the most sophisticated examples of medieval goldsmithing.

Another notable artwork in the cathedral is the Gero Crucifix, a large oak crucifix with traces of paint and gilding. Believed to have been commissioned around 960 for Archbishop Gero, it is the oldest large crucifix north of the Alps and the earliest known large free-standing Northern sculpture of the medieval period.

The high altar, installed in 1322, is another treasure of the cathedral. Constructed of black marble, it features a solid slab 4.6 metres long as its top. The front and sides are adorned with white marble niches containing statues, with the Coronation of the Virgin at the centre.

The cathedral also boasts an impressive collection of stained-glass windows. The oldest windows date back to the 13th century, while a more modern addition is the stained-glass window by German artist Gerhard Richter, installed in 2007. This window is composed of 11,500 identically sized pieces of coloured glass, randomly arranged to create a colourful effect.

In addition to these artworks, the cathedral is also home to various other relics and treasures. The Mailänder Madonna, a high Gothic carving depicting the Virgin Mary and the infant Jesus, can be found in the Sacrament Chapel. The radiating chapels, completed in 1265, served as burial places and house the relics of Saint Irmgardis and other saints. The altar of the patron saints of Cologne, with an altarpiece by the renowned Gothic painter Stefan Lochner, can be found in the St. Mary's Chapel.

Pilgrimage

Cologne Cathedral, located in the city of Cologne, Germany, is a major attraction for tourists and pilgrims and is one of the oldest and most important pilgrimage sites in Northern Europe. The site of the cathedral has been occupied by Christian churches since the 4th century.

The cathedral is renowned for its long construction history, which began with the Three Wise Men and ended in 1880, as well as for its important works of art. It is a renowned monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1996.

Cologne Cathedral is known for housing the Shrine of the Three Kings, which contains the relics of the Magi. The shrine is considered one of the most sophisticated examples of medieval goldsmithing and is located in the centre of the cathedral's choir. The shrine is the largest reliquary in Europe and is a major draw for pilgrims.

The cathedral is also home to other significant artworks, including the Gero Crucifix, the oldest large crucifix north of the Alps, and the Mailänder Madonna, a High Gothic carving of the Virgin and Child. The cathedral's colourful glass windows are especially impressive, with over 10,000 square metres of windows in total, making it the largest window area of any church in the world.

The pilgrimage site holds a lot of mysteries and fascinating stories for those interested in art, architecture, and culture. For example, the cathedral's massive vaulted ceiling is held up by iron rafters, which is an interesting combination of tradition and modernity. Another mystery is why the cathedral was not more severely damaged during World War II, as it was a target for Allied aircraft bombing.

The cathedral is a significant symbol of European Christianity and has been an important site for pilgrims and tourists for centuries.

World Heritage status

Cologne Cathedral, located in the city of Cologne, Germany, is a renowned monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture. Construction of the cathedral began in 1248 but was halted around 1560 and only resumed in the 19th century, finally completing in 1880. It is the tallest twin-spired church in the world, standing at 157 metres (515 feet) tall.

In 1996, the cathedral was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List of culturally important sites. It was recognised for its exceptional intrinsic value, the artistic masterpieces it contains, and as a testament to the enduring strength of European Christianity. The UNESCO description of the site reads:

> "Begun in 1248, the building of this Gothic masterpiece took place in several stages and was not completed until 1880. Over seven centuries, successive builders were inspired by the same faith and a spirit of absolute fidelity to the original plans. Apart from its exceptional intrinsic value and the artistic masterpieces it contains, Cologne Cathedral testifies to the enduring strength of European Christianity."

The cathedral was placed on the "World Heritage in Danger" list in 2004 due to plans to construct several high-rise buildings nearby, which would have impacted the site visually. However, it was removed from the list in 2006 following the authorities' decision to limit the heights of buildings constructed near and around the cathedral.

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