Katrina Rosales
The Dom in Cologne is the Cologne Cathedral (or Kölner Dom in German), a Catholic cathedral church located in the city of Cologne, Germany. Construction of the cathedral began in 1248 but was halted in the years around 1560. Attempts to complete the construction began around 1814, and the edifice was finished according to its original medieval plan in 1880. The cathedral is a renowned monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1996. It is Germany's most visited landmark, attracting an average of 6 million people a year.
What You'll Learn
Construction History
Construction of the Cologne Cathedral began in 1248, but it was not completed until 1880, taking 632 years. The site has been occupied by Christian churches since the 4th century, and an older cathedral was destroyed by fire in 1248, after which work began on the present cathedral. The new cathedral was designed in the Gothic style, emulating French church architecture.
In the beginning, work progressed quickly, and it is said that this was due to a bet the architect had made with the devil, exchanging his soul and those of his family for rapid completion of the project. However, the architect's wife is said to have put a stop to the plan, which is why the cathedral took so long to complete.
The choir was consecrated in 1322, but construction continued until 1560, or 1520 according to some sources. The project then stalled for centuries, with a large wooden crane left standing about 184 feet above the ground, at the top of the south tower. During the 1790s, troops of the French Revolution occupied Cologne and used the cathedral as a stable and hay barn. Restoration work began in the 1820s, spurred on by Sulpiz Boisserée, a German 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. The architects Ernst Friedrich Zwirner and Richard Voigtel carried out the enterprise, guided by architectural drawings made in about 1300. The cathedral was finally completed in 1880, making it the tallest twin-spired church in the world.
During the 1950s, the cathedral was renovated following heavy bombing during World War II. Maintenance work on the building is ongoing, with some 80 people employed to oversee its preservation for future generations.
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Architectural Features
Cologne 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 reach 19.80m. The cathedral is 144.5m long, and the transept is 86.25m wide. The towers for its two huge spires give the cathedral the largest façade of any church in the world. The eastern end has a single ambulatory, and the second aisle resolves into a chevet of seven radiating chapels. The cathedral is Germany's most visited landmark, attracting an average of 6 million people a year.
The ground plan design of Cologne 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. Externally, the outward thrust of the vault is supported by flying buttresses in the French manner.
The cathedral is constructed from different types of rock, including trachyte and sandstone. Many sculptures and canopies are made of limestone. The black patina of the cathedral is due to weathering, soot, and biofouling.
The original liturgical appointments of the choir are still largely intact. These include the high altar, which features an enormous monolithic slab of black limestone, believed to be the largest in any Christian church. Other original features include the carved oak choir stalls (1308-11), the painted choir screens (1332-40), the fourteen statues on the pillars in the choir (c. 1300), and the great cycle of stained-glass windows, the largest extant early 14th-century cycle in Europe.
The cathedral's colourful glass windows are especially impressive. They bring a vibrant intensity of colour to the interior. The cathedral has the largest window area of any church in the world: more than 10,000 square metres. They include coloured surfaces and picture windows that depict biblical stories. Some windows from the Middle Ages have been preserved, while others have been restored according to old sketches. Still, other windows, such as the Richter window, are more modern creations.
The rafters of the cathedral's roof are made of iron, which saved the cathedral from serious damage during World War II. This iron truss was the largest steel structure in the world in 1860—30 years before the completion of the Eiffel Tower.
The cathedral features typical Gothic elements such as flying buttresses and spitting gargoyles.
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Artworks and Relics
Cologne Cathedral is home to many artistic masterpieces and relics. The most celebrated work of art in the cathedral is the Shrine of the Three Kings, a large reliquary in the shape of a basilican church, made of bronze and silver, gilded and ornamented with architectural details, figurative sculptures, enamels, and gemstones. It is traditionally believed to hold the remains of the Three Wise Men. The shrine is considered one of the most sophisticated goldsmith's works of the Middle Ages and is located behind the High Altar of the cathedral.
Another important relic is the 4th-century St. Peter's Staff, which can be found in the cathedral's underground treasure chamber, along with numerous other reliquaries, liturgical utensils, vestments, and manuscripts.
The cathedral also boasts impressive stained glass windows, including medieval windows that were removed before the Allied air raids of 1944 and modern windows, such as the Richter window, which was installed in 2007. The oldest stained-glass window is the famous Bible Window, located in the central chapel of the ambulatory.
Other notable artworks include the Gero Crucifix, a large oak crucifix with traces of paint and gilding, believed to be the oldest large crucifix north of the Alps; the altarpiece in the Lady Chapel, a triptych entitled "The Adoration of the Magi" by Stefan Lochner; and the altarpiece of St. Agilolphus in the south transept.
The cathedral's high altar is also a masterpiece, constructed of black marble with a solid slab forming the top and white marble niches containing figures.
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Pilgrimage
Cologne Cathedral, or Kölner Dom, is a major attraction for tourists and pilgrims alike, and is one of the oldest and most important pilgrimage sites in Northern Europe. The cathedral is a renowned monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1996.
The cathedral is home to the Shrine of the Three Kings, which is considered to be the largest reliquary in the Western world. The shrine is believed to hold the relics of the Magi, or the Three Wise Men, who attended the infant Jesus. The relics were acquired by Emperor Frederick Barbarossa from his spoils of war and brought to Cologne by the Archbishop of Cologne, Rainald von Dassel, in 1164. The shrine itself was crafted between 1180 and 1225 by Nicholas of Verdun and is considered one of the most sophisticated examples of medieval goldsmithing.
In addition to the Shrine of the Three Kings, there are numerous other important works of art and relics housed within the cathedral and its treasury. These include the 4th-century St. Peter's Staff, numerous other reliquaries, liturgical utensils, vestments, and manuscripts. The cathedral is also known for its impressive stained glass windows, which cover an area of over 10,000 square metres. One of the oldest windows is the famous Bible Window, located in the central chapel of the ambulatory.
The cathedral has been a site of pilgrimage for centuries, with an office of "custos regum" ("guardian of the kings") established after 1162 to oversee the pilgrim crowds. Today, it continues to attract pilgrims and tourists alike, with around 6 million visitors each year.
For those interested in pilgrimage or simply wishing to explore the cathedral's rich history and art, guided tours are available. These tours provide an opportunity to delve deeper into the significance of the cathedral and its place in the Christian faith.
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Restoration and Maintenance
Cologne Cathedral is a Gothic masterpiece that stands as a symbol of the city and a testament to the enduring strength of European Christianity. Its construction began in 1248 and was completed in 1880, with restoration work taking place in the following centuries to preserve its architectural grandeur.
The cathedral is made from different types of stone, including trachyte and sandstone, with many sculptures and canopies crafted from limestone. The black patina that characterises its exterior is a result of weathering, soot, and biofouling. This patina is intentionally preserved as it has been a distinctive feature of the cathedral for centuries.
Maintenance and restoration efforts are ongoing, with about 100 people from the Dombauhütte (cathedral masonry office) working daily to maintain the structure. The iron rafters of the roof, installed in the 19th century, played a crucial role in saving the cathedral from serious damage during World War II.
The stained glass windows of the cathedral are particularly noteworthy, with some dating back to the Middle Ages. The medieval windows were removed before the Allied air raids of 1944, ensuring their preservation. One of the oldest windows is the famous Bible Window, located in the central chapel of the ambulatory.
In 2007, a new stained glass window designed by German artist Gerhard Richter was installed in the south transept. This abstract composition of 11,263 colour squares in 72 colours changes with the incidence of light, creating a dynamic tapestry of hues.
The cathedral's status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site underscores its cultural and historical significance, and restoration efforts aim to preserve this legacy for future generations. The building's intricate design and extensive use of stone and glass necessitate continuous care, ensuring that Cologne Cathedral remains a revered landmark for centuries to come.
The cathedral's master builder, Barbara Schock-Werner, aptly summarised the importance of ongoing maintenance: "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."
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Frequently asked questions
The Dom in Cologne is the city's famous cathedral, officially known as the Hohe Domkirche Sankt Petrus (Cathedral Church of Saint Peter).
Construction of the Dom began in 1248, but it was not completed until 1880, over seven centuries later. The site has been occupied by Christian churches since the 4th century, and the current cathedral was built to replace an older one that was destroyed by fire.
The Dom is renowned for its art and architecture. Highlights include the Shrine of the Three Kings (or Three Wise Men), which is said to contain the relics of the Magi; the Gero Crucifix, a large oak crucifix from the 10th century; and the colourful glass windows, including medieval stained glass and a modern window by artist Gerhard Richter.
