Lance Carson
Cologne Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Cologne, Germany. Construction began in 1248 but was not completed until 1880, with the project stalling for centuries. It is the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe, with twin towers that stand at 515 feet (157 metres) tall. The cathedral is Germany's most visited landmark, attracting around 6 million people per year. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.
What You'll Learn
Construction History
The construction of the Cologne Cathedral began in 1248 but was halted in the years around 1560, remaining unfinished for almost 300 years. The original plans for the cathedral were designed by stonemason Gerhard of Reil, who took inspiration from other European cathedrals. The first foundation stone was laid by Archbishop Konrad von Hochstaden in August 1248. The eastern arm of the cathedral was completed in 1322, and construction continued until about 1560 before running out of funding.
In the 1840s, there was a push from the public and the Protestant Prussian Court to finish the cathedral. Funding was raised, and construction resumed in 1842 with architects Ernst Friedrich Zwirner and Richard Voigtel taking ownership of the process. The cathedral was finally completed in 1880, 632 years after construction began. At the time, it was believed to be the tallest tower in the world at 515 feet (157 meters).
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Architectural Style
Cologne Cathedral, also known as the Kölner Dom, is a renowned monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture. It is the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe, and its immense twin towers stand at 515 feet (157 metres) tall, making it the tallest twin-spired church in the world. The cathedral was constructed in the Gothic style, emulating French church architecture.
The origins of Cologne Cathedral date back to 1164, when the Archbishop of Cologne, Rainald of Dassel, first obtained the relics of the Three Kings. The relics possessed great religious significance and attracted believers from all over Christendom. As a result, church authorities determined that they required a fitting home—and so, nearly 90 years later, construction began on a new cathedral in the fashionable Gothic style. The cornerstone was laid in August 1248, by Archbishop Konrad von Hochstaden, and construction proceeded under the direction of architect Master Gerhard and, later, Master Michael.
The plan of the cathedral 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, second in height only to that of Beauvais Cathedral, much of which collapsed. Externally, the outward thrust of the vault is taken by flying buttresses in the French manner. The eastern end has a single ambulatory, with the second aisle resolving into a chevet of seven radiating chapels.
The Cologne Cathedral is famous for its extravagant use of tracery, flying buttresses, stone sculpture, pinnacles and lofty porticos. The interior of the medieval choir is more varied and less mechanical in its details than the 19th-century building. It features a French-style arrangement of a very tall arcade, a delicate narrow triforium gallery lit by windows, and detailed tracery merging with those of the windows above. The clerestory windows are tall and retain some old figurative glass in the lower sections. The whole is united by tall shafts that sweep unbroken from the floor to their capitals at the spring of the vault. The vault is of plain quadripartite arrangement.
The cathedral is built from different types of rock, which weather to varying degrees. The filigree buttresses and arches are exposed to the weather from all sides and are susceptible to water damage, the sulphur content of the air, and bird droppings. The Schlaitdorf sandstone, which was used from 1842 onwards for the transept façades and the upper parts of the nave and transept, shows the most intensive weathering and is constantly being renewed.
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Artworks and Relics
The Cologne Cathedral in Germany is home to a variety of notable artworks and relics. Here is a detailed description of some of the most significant pieces:
The Shrine of the Three Kings
The most celebrated artwork in the cathedral is the Shrine of the Three Kings, commissioned by Philip von Heinsberg, the Archbishop of Cologne from 1167 to 1191. It is 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. The shrine is believed to hold the relics of the Three Wise Men, whose remains were acquired by Frederick Barbarossa during his invasion of Milan in 1164. The shrine, a masterpiece of medieval goldwork, was crafted by the renowned goldsmith Nicholas of Verdun and completed around 1220. It is located near the high altar of the cathedral.
The Gero Crucifix
The Gero Crucifix, located near the sacristy, is a large oak crucifix with traces of paint and gilding still visible. 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 Mailänder Madonna
The Mailänder Madonna, or the "Milan Madonna", is a High Gothic carving depicting the Blessed Virgin and the infant Jesus. It was crafted in the Cologne Cathedral workshop around 1290 as a replacement for the original, which was lost in a fire.
The Altar of the Patron Saints of Cologne
The Altar of the Patron Saints of Cologne, with an altarpiece by the International Gothic painter Stefan Lochner, can be found in the Marienkapelle ("St. Mary's Chapel").
The High Altar
The High Altar, installed in 1322, is constructed of black marble, with a solid slab of the same material forming the top. The front and sides are overlaid with white marble niches containing statues, with the Coronation of the Virgin at the centre.
Stained Glass Windows
The cathedral boasts an array of stunning stained glass windows, including the oldest in the building, which date back to the 13th century. More modern examples include the Bayernfenster, a set of five windows on the south side, gifted by Ludwig I of Bavaria, and a contemporary window by artist Gerhard Richter, installed in 2007.
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Windows and Stained Glass
The Cologne Cathedral, located in Cologne, Germany, is a renowned monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture. It is Germany's most visited landmark, attracting around 6 million people annually. The cathedral boasts a rich history, with construction beginning in 1248 and ending in 1880, and its windows and stained glass are no exception.
The clerestory windows in the choir of the cathedral contain the largest series of stained glass windows from the 14th century in Europe. These windows, completed in 1311, span 10,170 sq. ft. and 95% of their glass is original. The clerestory windows depict various scenes from the life of St. Peter, including his crucifixion and death sentence by Nero.
The nave of the cathedral features many 19th-century stained-glass windows, including the "Bayernfenster", a set of five windows gifted by Ludwig I of Bavaria. These windows are highly representative of the painterly German style of the era.
In 2007, the cathedral received a new stained glass window in the south transept. Designed by German artist Gerhard Richter, the window is composed of 11,500 identically-sized pieces of coloured glass, arranged randomly to create a colourful "carpet". The window measures 106 sq. m. and cost €400,000, which was funded by donations.
The Cologne Cathedral is a true masterpiece, with its stunning architecture and intricate stained glass windows that have captivated visitors for centuries.
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Visitor Information
Cologne Cathedral is located in the city of Cologne, Germany, and is open daily from 6 am to 8 pm. The cathedral is a major attraction for tourists and pilgrims, with an average of 6 million visitors per year, and is easily accessible by public transport or car. The site has been occupied by Christian churches since the 4th century, and the present cathedral was constructed in the Gothic style, emulating French church architecture.
The cathedral is free to enter, and visitors are advised to prepare for security checks and to only bring small bags, as luggage storage is available at a cost in the immediate vicinity of the cathedral. Visitors are also advised to be mindful of the dress code, which includes no sleeveless or cropped tops, short shorts or skirts, and no hats.
For those interested in climbing the tower, it is accessible from 9 am to 6 pm during the months of March to October, and from 9 am to 4 pm from November to February. The last admission is half an hour before closing time, and the climb involves 533 steps to a viewing platform, which offers a scenic view over the Rhine. The cost of entry is €8 for adults, with reduced rates for children, students, and persons with special needs. Combi tickets, which include access to the tower and the Cathedral Treasury, are also available.
The Cathedral Treasury is open to visitors between 10 am and 6 pm, and guided tours of the cathedral are available upon registration. These tours can only be conducted by authorised or registered cathedral guides and must be booked in advance. The tours are limited to a maximum of 20 people per group, and children's groups are provided with group guidance systems free of charge.
The cathedral is a renowned monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. It is the tallest twin-spired church in the world and features immense twin towers that stand at 515 feet (157 metres) tall. The construction began in 1248 and was completed in 1880, taking over 500 years, with various interruptions due to funding and other challenges. The choir was consecrated in 1322, but the project stalled for centuries, with a large wooden crane left standing above the south tower.
The art treasures within the cathedral include the massive gold Shrine of the Three Kings, containing relics of the Magi, and the altarpiece in the Lady Chapel, entitled "The Adoration of the Magi", created by Stefan Lochner. The cathedral also boasts stunning stained glass windows, including modern installations by artist Gerhard Richter, as well as older windows crafted in the 13th century.
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Frequently asked questions
The Cathedral of Cologne is located in the city of Cologne, Germany.
The Cathedral of Cologne is a renowned monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Cologne and of the administration of the Archdiocese of Cologne.
The Cathedral of Cologne is the tallest twin-spired church in the world at 157 metres (515 feet) tall. It covers almost 8,000 square metres of floor space and can hold more than 20,000 people. It is Germany's most visited landmark, attracting an average of 6 million people a year.
The construction of the Cathedral of Cologne began in 1248 and was completed in 1880, taking over 600 years.
The Cathedral of Cologne features immense twin towers and is known for its colourful glass windows, bringing a vibrant intensity of colour into the interior. It also houses the Shrine of the Three Kings, which contains the relics of the Magi, and the 4th-century St. Peter's Staff.
