The Construction Story Of Cologne's Dom Cathedral

Cologne Cathedral, officially known as Hohe Domkirche Sankt Petrus, or Cathedral Church of Saint Peter, is a Catholic cathedral in Cologne, Germany. Construction of the cathedral commenced in 1248, but it was not completed until 1880, over 600 years later. The cathedral is renowned for its Gothic architecture and is Germany's most visited landmark, attracting around 6 million people annually.

Construction began in 1248 and ended in 1880

Construction of the Cologne Cathedral began in 1248, but it was not completed until 1880, some 632 years later. The building of the cathedral was carried out in several stages over seven centuries, with successive builders inspired by the same faith and a spirit of absolute fidelity to the original plans.

The first stage of construction began immediately after the older cathedral on the site was destroyed by fire in 1248. 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 was sealed off with a temporary wall so that work could continue.

However, construction stalled in the mid-16th century, with only the south tower completed up to the belfry level. A large wooden crane was left standing at the top of the tower, and it remained there for 400 years. During this period, the cathedral was used as a stable and hay barn by troops of the French Revolution. 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 in earnest. The project was now properly funded, with two-thirds of the costs raised by the Central-Dombauverein and the remaining third supplied by the Prussian state. Architects Ernst Friedrich Zwirner and Richard Voigtel took over, following the original medieval plans and drawings from around 1300. More modern construction techniques were employed, including the use of iron roof girders. The nave was completed, and the towers were added. The bells were installed in the 1870s, with the largest, St. Petersglocke, cast in 1922.

The completion of Germany's largest cathedral was celebrated as a national event on 15 October 1880. The celebration was attended by Emperor Wilhelm I. At 157 metres tall, it was the tallest building in the world for four years until the completion of the Washington Monument.

It is Germany's most popular landmark

Construction of the Cologne Cathedral began in 1248, but it was not completed until 632 years later, in 1880. It is Germany's most popular landmark, attracting around 20,000 visitors per day, or six million per year. It is the largest Gothic church in northern Europe and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The cathedral's immense twin towers stand at 515 feet (157 metres) tall, and it is the tallest twin-spired church in the world. It is also the third-tallest church of any kind in the world. The towers give the cathedral the largest façade of any church in the world.

The cathedral is located in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, and is the seat of the Archbishop of Cologne and of the administration of the Archdiocese of Cologne. It is a renowned monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture.

The cathedral's long construction period is due in part to the project stalling for centuries. An older cathedral on the site was destroyed by fire in 1248, and construction of the present cathedral began immediately after. The choir was consecrated in 1322, but work continued until 1560, after which it was halted for around 300 years. Attempts to complete the construction began around 1814, but it was not properly funded until the 1840s. The edifice was finally completed to its original medieval plan in 1880.

The cathedral is built from different types of rock, and its filigree buttresses and arches are exposed to the elements. This means that it requires continuous maintenance and renovation work. The stonemasons and stone sculptors are therefore of great importance. The cathedral is also known for its colourful glass windows, which bring a vibrant intensity of colour to the interior. It has the largest window area of any church in the world: more than 10,000 square metres.

The cathedral is open all year round. Visitors can climb to the tower, and the admission fee costs three euros. A combined ticket to the treasure chamber and the tower is also available for six euros per adult. Guided tours are available in English from Monday to Saturday, and on Sundays and holidays.

It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Construction of the Cologne Cathedral began in 1248 but was not completed until 1880. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognised as such in 1996. The Cathedral is a Gothic and Neo-Gothic structure, with five aisles, a two-tower façade, and a projecting transept. It is the tallest twin-spired church in the world at 157m (515 ft) and the second tallest church in Europe. It is Germany's most visited landmark, attracting around 6 million people per year.

The Cathedral was built to house the shrine of the Three Wise Men, whose relics were brought to the town in 1164. The original plan was for a grand structure, fit for its role as a place of worship for the Holy Roman Emperor. The building was halted in the years around 1560 and attempts to complete the construction began in 1814, but the project was not properly funded until the 1840s. The 19th-century work followed the original medieval plans and designs, using more modern construction techniques, including iron roof girders. The completion of Germany's largest cathedral was celebrated as a national event in 1880, with Emperor Wilhelm I in attendance.

The Cathedral contains many artistic masterpieces, including the high altar, which is constructed of black marble with a solid slab forming the top. There are also fourteen statues sitting on pillars in the choir that date from the 13th century and early 14th-century carved oak choir stalls. The stained glass windows are the largest 14th-century window sequence in Europe. The Cathedral is also home to the Shrine of the Three Kings, which is considered one of the most sophisticated goldsmith's works of the Middle Ages.

The Cathedral suffered extensive damage in World War II, hit by 14 bombs, but restoration work began immediately after the war and was completed by 1956. The Cologne Cathedral is a major attraction for tourists and pilgrims and is one of the oldest and most important pilgrimage sites in Northern Europe.

It is the world's third-largest Gothic-style cathedral

Construction of the Cologne Cathedral began in 1248 and was completed in 1880, making it one of the world's largest Gothic cathedrals. It is the tallest twin-spired church in the world and the third tallest church overall. The cathedral's towers give it the largest façade of any church in the world.

The Cologne Cathedral is a High Gothic five-aisled basilica with a projecting transept and a tower façade. The nave is 43.58 m high, and the side aisles reach 19.80 m. The western section, nave, and transept, which were begun in 1330, differ in style from the rest of the building, but this is not noticeable in the overall construction. The 19th-century work faithfully follows the medieval forms and techniques, as can be seen by comparing it with the original medieval plan.

The Cologne Cathedral houses several artistic masterpieces, including the Gero Crucifix from the late 10th century and the Shrine of the Magi from the 12th to the 13th century, which is the largest reliquary shrine in Europe. Other highlights include the altarpiece of St. Clare from the 14th to the 15th century, the altarpiece of the City Patrons by Stephan Lochner in the 15th century, and the altarpiece of St. Agilolphus from around 1520.

The high altar inside the Cologne Cathedral is believed to be the largest in the world. Made of black limestone in the early 14th century, it features a monolithic slab that may be the biggest in any Christian church. The cathedral also boasts the world's largest swinging bell, the St. Peter's Bell, weighing 24 metric tons.

It is the seat of the Archbishop of Cologne

The Archbishop of Cologne governs the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cologne in western North Rhine-Westphalia. The Archbishop is also the administrator of the Archdiocese of Cologne.

Historically, the Archbishop was ex officio one of the prince-electors of the Holy Roman Empire and ruled the Electorate of Cologne. The Archbishop-elector of Cologne was also the arch-chancellor of Italy, one of the three titular kingdoms of the Holy Roman Empire, the other two being Germany and Burgundy. As such, he ranked second among all ecclesiastical and secular princes of the Empire, after the Archbishop-elector of Mainz, and before that of Trier.

The Archbishop of Cologne was one of only three ecclesiastical prince-electors in the Empire, the other two being the Electorate of Mainz and the Electorate of Trier. The capital of the Electorate was Cologne, but conflicts with the citizens of the city caused the Elector to move to Bonn.

The Archbishop of Cologne has been the seat of ninety-four bishops and archbishops of Cologne. Seven of these retired by resignation, and four of these resignations were in response to impeachment. Eight of the bishops and archbishops were coadjutor bishops before they took office, and seven were appointed as coadjutors freely by the Pope.

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