Cologne's Central Mosque: A Modern Wonder Built In 2018

The Cologne Central Mosque is the largest mosque in Germany. It was designed by Gottfried Böhm and his son Paul Böhm, who are known for building churches. The mosque was first used in 2017 and officially inaugurated in September 2018 by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The building features neo-Ottoman architecture, including glass walls, two 55-metre-high minarets, and a dome. The mosque is located in the Ehrenfeld district of Cologne, an area known for its cultural diversity.

The mosque was inaugurated in 2018 by Turkish President Erdogan

The Cologne Central Mosque, the largest mosque in Germany, was inaugurated in September 2018 by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during his state visit to the country. Erdogan's inauguration of the mosque was controversial. The Turkish-Islamic Union for Religious Affairs (DİTİB) was criticised for its failure to provide a comprehensive security plan for the event. Due to this, the city of Cologne restricted attendance to 500 invited guests.

The inauguration of the mosque by Erdogan was also contentious because the mayor of Cologne, Henriette Reker, was not invited to speak at the event. As a result, Reker declined to attend. This was interpreted as evidence that DİTİB was closely aligned with the Turkish government and uninterested in cooperating with German institutions. Armin Laschet, the Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia, also declined to attend the inauguration.

The Cologne Central Mosque was commissioned by German Muslims of the DİTİB organisation. It was designed by Gottfried Böhm and his son Paul Böhm, who specialise in building churches. The mosque features neo-Ottoman architecture, including glass walls, two 55-metre-high minarets, and a dome. The mosque cost £15-20 million to build and can accommodate 1,200 to 4,000 worshippers. It includes a bazaar, lecture halls, a prayer area, and a Muslim library. The mosque's secular areas, such as the restaurant, event halls, and shops, are open to people of all faiths.

It was designed by architects Gottfried and Paul Böhm

The Cologne Central Mosque was designed by the architects Gottfried Böhm and his son Paul Böhm, who are known for specialising in building churches. The mosque was designed in the neo-Ottoman architectural style, featuring a concrete and glass dome, two minarets, and glass walls. The building's design symbolises openness to all religions, with a staircase accessible from the street and secular areas such as a restaurant, event spaces, and shops open to people of any faith.

The mosque's design was inspired by a flower bud, with its dome appearing to open like one. The building is constructed from glass and concrete, with curved walls and a light glass facade. The interior features Arabic calligraphy, balconies, and a prayer area that spans both the ground and upper floors, connected by a well in the centre. The mosque also houses an Islamic library.

The Cologne Central Mosque is Germany's largest mosque, covering 48,000 square feet (4,500 square metres) and accommodating up to 4,000 worshippers. It is located in the Ehrenfeld district of Cologne, an area known for its cultural diversity, with 35% of locals having an immigrant background. The mosque was commissioned by German Muslims of the Organization DİTİB and funded by various Muslim associations, bank loans, and donations from the Turkish government's religious affairs authority. Despite facing some controversy and opposition, the mosque was approved by the Cologne city council in 2008 and opened for prayer in 2017.

It is located in the Ehrenfeld district of Cologne

The Cologne Central Mosque is located in the Ehrenfeld district of Cologne, Germany. Ehrenfeld was formerly a working-class quarter that suffered from high unemployment and poverty when factories closed in the 1970s. However, the area was later gentrified as artists, galleries, and theatres were drawn to the low rent prices. Today, Ehrenfeld is known as one of the cultural centres of Cologne, with 35% of its residents having an immigrant background.

The mosque itself is located on Venloer Strasse in Ehrenfeld. It is considered a symbol of integration and the birth of German mosque architecture. The building is characterised by its large dome, formed by four large bowls that protect the sacred precinct like abstract hands. The mosque's two towers have been a topic of debate due to their height and the fact that they change the image of the city, "shadowing" the Cologne Cathedral tower.

The Cologne Central Mosque is the largest mosque in Germany, covering 4500 square metres and accommodating up to 1200 to 4000 worshippers. It is designed in the neo-Ottoman architectural style, with glass walls, two 55-metre-high minarets, and a dome. The mosque features a bazaar, lecture halls, a prayer area, and a Muslim library. It also includes secular areas, such as a restaurant, event halls, and shops, which are open to people of all religions.

The mosque is Germany's largest, accommodating 1,200-4,000-4,000 worshippers

The Cologne Central Mosque is Germany's largest mosque, accommodating 1,200-4,000 worshippers. It is located in the Ehrenfeld district of Cologne, an area known as one of the cultural centres of the city. The mosque was built by the Turkish Muslim organisation DiTiB and covers 4,500 square metres. It features a distinctive design, with a large dome formed by four large curved walls, two 55-metre-high minarets, and glass walls. The building combines Ottoman-era Turkish mosque architecture with a typical European style, resulting in a modern and unique appearance.

The mosque is designed to foster inter-religious communication and bridge different faiths in Germany. It includes various facilities that are open to people of all religions, such as shops, sports centres, and a restaurant. The mosque also houses a prayer area, lecture halls, and a Muslim library. The prayer area spans both the ground and upper floors, with the two sections connected by a well in the centre of the building's glass front.

The Cologne Central Mosque first opened for prayer in 2017, with an official opening in 2018. The construction of the mosque was funded by a combination of bank loans, donations from Muslim associations, and the Turkish government's religious affairs authority in Germany. Despite some controversy and opposition to the project, the mosque stands as a significant symbol of integration in Germany, accommodating a large Muslim population in the country and the city of Cologne.

The building is in neo-Ottoman style, with glass walls, two minarets and a dome

The Cologne Central Mosque is a stunning example of modern Islamic architecture, designed by the renowned German architect, Paul Böhm. The building was constructed between 2009 and 2017 and officially opened in 2018, offering a contemporary take on traditional mosque design. The mosque is a landmark in the city, standing as a symbol of the vibrant Muslim community in Cologne and beyond.

Now, let's delve into the details of its design:

"The building is a striking example of neo-Ottoman style, a modern reinterpretation of the classical Ottoman architectural tradition. This style is characterized by its use of grand, domed structures, minarets, and a fusion of Islamic and European design elements. The mosque's glass walls are a modern twist, providing a sense of openness and welcoming visitors from all directions. This feature is especially unique, as traditional mosques often have solid, opaque walls, creating a sense of enclosure and privacy. The use of glass symbolizes transparency and a desire to foster understanding and dialogue between different communities.

The mosque features two elegant minarets, which are slender towers that flank the main building. In Islamic architecture, minarets traditionally serve as a visual symbol of a mosque, and they also have a functional purpose, as they are used by the muezzin to deliver the call to prayer. The minarets of the Cologne Central Mosque stand at a height of 55 meters (180 feet), making them visible from a distance and serving as a contemporary interpretation of this traditional feature.

A large, central dome dominates the roof of the mosque. Domes are a common feature in Islamic architecture, often symbolizing the heavens and creating a sense of grandeur and spirituality. The dome in the Cologne Central Mosque is particularly striking, with a diameter of 36 feet (11 meters), and it is visible from the inside, where it creates a sense of openness and awe. The dome is surrounded by smaller semi-domes and cupolas, which add to the overall sense of harmony and proportion in the design.

The interior of the mosque is just as impressive as its exterior, with intricate tile work, elegant arches, and a spacious prayer hall that can accommodate up to 1,200 worshippers. The use of natural light, through the glass walls and carefully placed windows, enhances the spiritual atmosphere, creating a sense of calm and tranquility."

The Cologne Central Mosque stands as an important example of how traditional architectural styles can be adapted and reinterpreted for a modern context, creating a space that is both functional and visually stunning, serving the needs of the Muslim community in Cologne while also becoming a tourist attraction and a symbol of cultural dialogue and understanding.

Frequently asked questions