Exploring Cologne's Dom Cathedral: A Historical Landmark

The Dom Cathedral in Cologne, Germany, officially known as Hohe Domkirche Sankt Petrus (Cathedral Church of Saint Peter), is a renowned monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture. Construction of this Gothic masterpiece began in 1248, but it was not completed until 1880, taking over 600 years. It is the largest Gothic church in northern Europe and features immense twin towers that stand at 515 feet (approximately 157 meters) tall, making it the tallest twin-spired church in the world. The Dom Cathedral is Germany's most visited landmark, attracting an average of 20,000 visitors each day and about 6 million people a year.

Construction History

Construction of the Cologne Cathedral began in 1248 but was halted in the years around 1560, with work only resuming in the 1840s. The cathedral was finally completed in 1880.

The site chosen to build the cathedral had been occupied by Christian churches since about the 4th century. An older cathedral was destroyed by fire in 1248, and work on the present cathedral began immediately after. The new cathedral was designed in the Gothic style, emulating French church architecture. The foundation stone was laid by Archbishop Konrad von Hochstaden in August 1248.

The eastern arm of the cathedral was completed under the direction of Master Gerhard and was consecrated in 1322. Construction continued until about 1560 when it ran out of funding. One theory for why construction stopped is 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 was laid by King Frederick William IV.

The architects Ernst Friedrich Zwirner and Richard Voigtel carried out the work, guided by architectural drawings made in about 1300. They did not alter much from the original plans, finishing the work that Gerhard of Reil started. The cathedral was finally completed in 1880, becoming the tallest building in the world at 157 metres.

Architectural Style

The Cologne Cathedral is a Gothic masterpiece and one of the most beautiful examples of Gothic and Neo-Gothic architecture in the world. The construction of the cathedral commenced in 1248 and was finally completed in 1880, taking over 600 years to finish. The cathedral is the tallest twin-spired church in the world, standing at 515 feet (157 metres) tall. It is built in the Gothic style, emulating French church architecture. The towers for its two huge spires give the cathedral the largest façade of any church in the world.

The ground plan design of the cathedral is 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, the second aisle resolving into a chevet of seven radiating chapels.

The cathedral is constructed of different types of rock, which weather differently due to their characteristics. The filigree buttresses and arches are exposed to the elements and are attacked by water, the sulphur content of the air, and bird droppings. The Schlaitdorf sandstone, which was used from 1842 onwards for the transept facades and the upper parts of the nave and transept, shows the most intensive weathering.

Artworks and Relics

The Shrine of the Three Kings, also known as the Tomb of the Three Kings or Three Magi, is a major highlight of the cathedral. This shrine is a large gilded and decorated triple sarcophagus situated above and behind the high altar. It was built between 1180 and 1225 and is considered the high point of Mosan art. It is adorned with intricate decorations, with its surfaces narrating the stories of the three Magi, the Virgin Mary, and the life of Christ. These narratives are depicted with figures meticulously rendered in gold-plated silver. The shrine is said to contain the bones of the Biblical Magi, attracting a constant stream of pilgrims to Cologne.

The Gero Crucifix, a large oak crucifix with traces of paint and gilding, is another significant artwork in the cathedral. 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 altarpiece in the Lady Chapel, on the south wall of the choir, is a triptych entitled The Adoration of the Magi, made by Stefan Lochner, one of the outstanding painters of the Cologne school.

The cathedral's oldest stained-glass windows were crafted in the 13th century. A more modern addition is the immense stained-glass window by the Cologne-based artist Gerhard Richter, completed in 2007. This window consists of more than 11,000 square panes in 72 solid colours, arranged seemingly at random within the many-mullioned window.

Visitor Information

Cologne Cathedral is open daily from 6 am to 8 pm. However, tourists can generally only visit outside of liturgical times, typically between 10 am and 5 pm on weekdays, 1 pm and 4 pm on Sundays, and until 8 pm in the tower hall after evening mass. These times may vary, as Masses take priority, so it is recommended to check the Mass times before your visit.

The cathedral is located in the immediate vicinity of the main railway station and is easily accessible by public transport and car.

All visitors are required to respect the dignity of the cathedral as a holy place and must be prepared for identity checks by staff when entering. Only small bags and rucksacks (up to a size of 40x35x15cm) are permitted inside. Larger luggage can be stored at a left-luggage office near the cathedral shop on Roncalliplatz, which is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm. Storing luggage costs 2 euros per hour or part thereof.

There is a specific dress code that visitors must adhere to. Clothing should be appropriate for a house of God, and sleeveless or cropped tops, short shorts, and skirts are considered inappropriate. Men may cover their heads for health or religious reasons. Religiously offensive or racist symbols are not tolerated. Food and drink must be consumed outside, and smoking, including e-cigarettes, is prohibited.

Photography and video recording without a flash are permitted outside of services for private use, but during services, recording is only allowed from one's seat, ensuring that other visitors are not directly included. The use of tripods requires permission from the cathedral provost, and drones are not permitted.

Guided tours of the cathedral's interior must be registered in advance and can only be conducted by authorised or registered cathedral guides. Tours in English are available and can be booked through the DOMFORUM. Tickets for public tours can be purchased up to seven days in advance, and the meeting point is the foyer of the DOMFORUM.

The tower is open to the public from 9 am to 6 pm from March to October and from 9 am to 4 pm from November to February. The last admission is half an hour before closing time. The tower is closed on certain days during the carnival season, as well as on 11 November, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day.

To climb the tower, visitors must ascend 533 steps to the viewing platform, which is about 100 metres above the ground. The climb takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes. Along the way, visitors will pass through the bell chamber, which houses eight of the cathedral's twelve bells.

Entry to the tower costs 8 euros for adults, with reduced rates of 4 euros for children, students, and persons with special needs. Families can purchase a family ticket for 20 euros. Combi tickets, which include access to the tower and the Cathedral Treasury, are also available.

Maintenance and Restoration

The Cologne Cathedral, also known as the Kölner Dom, is a renowned monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture. It is Germany's most visited landmark, attracting around 6 million people a year. The cathedral is constantly in need of repair and maintenance due to the effects of wind, rain, and pollution on its stone structure. The cathedral's master builder, Barbara Schock-Werner, famously said, "Cologne Cathedral without scaffolding is not a pipe dream but a nightmare. It would mean that we would no longer be able to afford the cathedral."

The Cologne Cathedral Builders' Works (Kölner Dombauhütte) is the organisation responsible for preserving the cathedral. The team includes specialists in stone, glass, metal, and woodworking. One of their key tasks is the restoration of the cathedral's stonework, which is affected by weathering and pollution. The north side of the cathedral, where the choir chapel faces the central train station, is currently the largest construction site. The 13th-century trachyte masonry has begun to crumble and is being carefully sandblasted to preserve as much of the surface as possible.

The cathedral is built from around 50 types of stone, with almost all walls and pillars made of trachyte. Over the years, the stone has been affected by fluctuations in temperature, which cause tension and cracks, as well as salt and frost penetration. The cathedral master builders aim to reconstruct all elements as close to the original as possible, using surviving workpieces as models. Stone for restoration is sourced from a quarry in Montemerlo, Italy, and a special mortar has been developed for the restoration work.

In addition to stone restoration, the cathedral has also undergone other maintenance and restoration work. In the 19th century, when the cathedral was nearing completion, the team of builders grew to 500 people. Even after the cathedral's then master builder, Richard Voigtel, declared it complete in 1902, work had to quickly resume when a statue of an angel fell from the facade just four years later. Today, regular renovation work is required due to sporadic earthquake damage, and the effects of acid rain on the stonework are also a concern.

The Cologne Cathedral is a testament to the enduring strength of European Christianity and is considered a powerful symbol of German nationhood. Its maintenance and restoration are of utmost importance to preserving its architectural and historical significance.

Frequently asked questions