Cologne's Treasured Relics: A Historical Overview

The relics in Cologne Cathedral are said to include the bones of the Biblical Magi, or Three Wise Men, who followed the Star of Bethlehem to Jesus. The relics were brought to the city in 1164 by the Archbishop of Cologne, Rainald of Dassel, who had received them from Holy Roman Emperor, Frederick Barbarossa. The bones were placed in a highly ornate golden reliquary, known as the Dreikönigsschrein, which can still be seen today behind the High Altar of Cologne Cathedral. The construction of the cathedral itself, which took 632 years to complete, was a response to the huge influx of pilgrims that resulted from the presence of the relics in the city.

The Shrine of the Three Kings

The shrine was built between 1180 and 1225 and is considered the high point of Mosan art. It is one of the largest reliquaries in the Western world. The shrine has three sarcophagi standing next to and above each other, with the ends completely covered so that no space is visible between them. The basic structure is made of wood, with gold and silver overlay decorated with filigree, enamel, and over 1,000 jewels and beads. The outside of the shrine is covered with intricate decorations that narrate the stories of the Three Magi, the Virgin Mary, and the life of Christ.

The relics of the Three Kings were brought to Cologne from Milan in 1164 by the Holy Roman Emperor, Frederick Barbarossa, and given to the Archbishop of Cologne, Rainald of Dassel. The relics were installed in the ornate golden shrine, which can still be seen today. The construction of the massive Cologne Cathedral itself, which began in 1248, was a response to the huge influx of pilgrims visiting the city due to the presence of the relics.

The relics' significance influenced the city's emblem, which features three crowns symbolizing the Magi. King Otto IV presented these crowns to the Cologne church in 1199. On 20 July 1864, the shrine was opened, revealing human remains and coins from the time of Archbishop Philip I. After inspection, the bones were returned to the shrine, where they remain to this day.

The relics' journey

The relics of the Three Kings, or the Biblical Magi, have had a long journey to their resting place in Cologne Cathedral. The story of these relics begins with the mother of Emperor Constantine, Helena, who was an avid collector of holy relics. In 313, Emperor Constantine the Great, ruler of the Roman Empire, legalised Christianity across the empire with the Edict of Milan. Helena, who had converted to the faith, set about finding all the places and objects associated with Jesus. In Jerusalem, she is said to have discovered the cross upon which Jesus died, as well as his grave. It is also believed that she found the graves of the Three Kings, or Three Wise Men, who had followed the star to Bethlehem to find Jesus.

Helena brought the relics to Constantinople (now Istanbul). However, they didn't stay there long. The emperor gave them to the Milanese bishop Eustorgius, who embedded them in a marble sarcophagus and had the reliquary transported to Italy on an ox cart. The journey was almost 2,000 kilometres (1,250 miles) and, according to legend, the exhausted animals pulling the cart collapsed just outside the city gates of Milan. Eustorgius then built a basilica on this site to house the remains of the Three Kings.

The relics remained in Milan for over seven centuries until Emperor Frederick I, known as Barbarossa, besieged the city in 1162. The Archbishop of Cologne, Rainald von Dassel, was with the emperor and asked for the relics as spoils of war. The archbishop wanted to bring prestige to Cologne, and such important saints from the Bible would be invaluable for pilgrims. When von Dassel entered Cologne with his troops on 23 July 1164, the residents celebrated the arrival of the precious cargo.

The transport of the relics was risky, as they would have been desirable loot for robbers. To protect them, von Dassel used various tricks, such as nailing horseshoes on backward to avoid being tracked, and declaring the remains to be plague corpses. The first documents about the relics date back to their arrival in Cologne in 1164.

The relics were placed in a golden shrine, or reliquary, called the Dreikönigsschrein, which can still be seen today behind the High Altar of Cologne Cathedral. The shrine was crafted between 1180 and 1225 by the renowned medieval goldsmith Nicholas of Verdun. It is the largest reliquary in the Western world and is considered the high point of Mosan art.

The influx of pilgrims to see the relics was so great that a new, larger cathedral was needed. Construction of the present Cologne Cathedral began in 1248 and took over six centuries to complete. The relics have attracted a constant stream of pilgrims to Cologne ever since.

The significance of the relics

The relics in Cologne are of great significance, both historically and religiously. The Shrine of the Three Kings, also known as the Dreikönigsschrein, is believed to contain the bones of the Biblical Magi, or the Three Wise Men. This makes the shrine one of the most important relics in the Western world.

The arrival of the relics in Cologne in 1164 transformed the city into the archetypal European pilgrimage centre. The construction of the massive Cologne Cathedral, or Kölner Dom, was a direct response to the influx of pilgrims, demonstrating the impact and importance of the relics. The relics also influenced the city's emblem, which features three crowns symbolizing the Magi.

The relics' significance extended beyond religious devotion, as they were also considered valuable treasures. Archbishop Rainald von Dassel, who brought the relics to Cologne, described them as "an incomparable treasure, more valuable than all gold and precious stones." The relics were adorned with intricate decorations, including gold and jewels, further enhancing their material and aesthetic value.

Furthermore, the relics played a crucial role in the development of the city of Cologne. The presence of the relics attracted a constant stream of pilgrims, bringing economic prosperity to the surrounding area. The relics also inspired other churches in Cologne to acquire their own relics and create ornate reliquaries, contributing to the city's rich cultural and religious heritage.

In summary, the significance of the relics in Cologne lies in their religious importance, historical value, and impact on the city's development. They continue to be a source of devotion and fascination for pilgrims and visitors alike, maintaining their relevance in the modern world.

The construction of the Cologne Cathedral

Planning and Early Construction

The planning for the Cologne Cathedral began in the 12th century when the Archbishop of Cologne, Reinald von Dassel, acquired the supposed bones of the Three Wise Men from Milan in 1164. To house these important relics, a valuable shrine was created between 1190 and 1225. This event elevated the status of Cologne, making it one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Europe.

To accommodate the influx of pilgrims, the construction of a new, grand Gothic cathedral was planned. The foundation stone of the cathedral was laid in 1248 by Archbishop Konrad von Hochstaden, following the northern French model and the Gothic style, the most modern architectural style at the time.

Progress and Interruptions

Over the following centuries, work on the cathedral continued with several interruptions. In the 14th century, the construction of the choir was completed, and the foundation for the south tower was laid in 1360. The two bells, Pretiosa and Speciosa, were cast in 1448/49 and are still part of the cathedral today. In the later 15th century, construction progressed on the transept, side aisles, and north tower. However, in the 16th century, work on the cathedral came to a halt due to the Reformation and the Thirty Years' War.

Completion and Restoration

The construction of the cathedral remained stalled for over 300 years until the 19th century when Prussia annexed the Rhineland, and the city of Cologne became part of the Prussian state. Under the direction of architect Ernst Friedrich Zwirner and with funding from the Prussian state and civic efforts, restoration and reconstruction work resumed in 1842. The interior of the cathedral was consecrated in 1848, and the final completion was achieved in 1880, 632 years after the initial construction began.

Ongoing Maintenance

Even after its completion, the work on the Cologne Cathedral is ongoing. The cathedral requires constant renovation and maintenance due to the effects of wind, rain, and pollution on its stone structure. Scaffolding is often present as skilled stonemasons work to preserve this medieval masterpiece.

The opening of the shrine

The Shrine of the Three Kings, located in the Cologne Cathedral in western Germany, is an ornate reliquary believed to contain the bones of the Biblical Magi, or the Three Wise Men. On July 20, 1864, the shrine was opened, revealing human remains and coins from the time of Archbishop Philip I.

Two coins were also found within the shrine: bracteates made of silver and struck on only one side. One of the coins, probably from the days of Archbishop Philipp von Heinsberg, displayed a church, while the other showed a cross, accompanied by a sword and a bishop's crook.

After this inspection, the bones were returned to the shrine, where they remain to this day. The opening of the shrine confirmed the presence of valuable relics, attracting a constant stream of pilgrims to Cologne.

The shrine itself is a large gilded and decorated triple sarcophagus situated above and behind the high altar of the Cologne Cathedral. Built between 1180 and 1225, it is considered a masterpiece of Mosan art and is one of the largest reliquaries in the Western world. The shrine features intricate decorations, including gold sculptures depicting scenes from Christ's life and figures of apostles and prophets.

The relics' journey to Cologne began in Constantinople, where they were brought by Empress Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine the Great. In 314, the relics were transferred to Milan by Bishop Eustorgius, who embedded them in a marble sarcophagus and transported them to Italy on an oxcart. In 1164, Holy Roman Emperor Frederick Barbarossa took the relics from Milan and gifted them to the Archbishop of Cologne, Rainald of Dassel.

The arrival of the relics in Cologne was a significant event, as it turned the city into a major European pilgrimage centre. The construction of the massive Cologne Cathedral, which began in 1248, was a direct response to the influx of pilgrims coming to venerate the relics.

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