Cologne Cathedral: Who Owns This Historic Landmark?

The Cologne Cathedral, officially Hohe Domkirche Sankt Petrus, is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Cologne, Germany. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Cologne and the administration of the Archdiocese of Cologne. The site of the cathedral has been occupied by Christian churches since the 4th century. The current building was constructed over more than 600 years, from 1248 to 1880, and is considered a masterpiece of Gothic architecture.

Construction of the cathedral

Construction of the Cologne Cathedral began in 1248, with the first master builder, Master Gerhard, working on the planning and ground plan. The foundation stone was laid by Archbishop Konrad von Hochstaden on 15 August 1248. The cathedral was designed according to the northern French model and the most modern architectural style of the time: the Gothic style.

The construction of the cathedral was prompted by the arrival of the relics of the Three Wise Men in Cologne. In 1164, Archbishop and Chancellor of the Reich Rainald von Dassel of Cologne brought bones from Milan to Cologne, which were regarded as relics of the Three Kings. A valuable shrine was made for these bones between 1190 and 1225, attracting many pilgrims to the Old Cathedral. It was decided that a new, Gothic cathedral was needed to house the shrine properly.

The eastern arm of the cathedral was finished in 1322, and work on the western part commenced. However, there were repeated interruptions to the construction due to war and financial difficulties. In the 15th century, construction continued on the transept, the side aisles, and the north tower. The foundation for the south tower was laid in 1360, and in 1448/49, two bells, Pretiosa and Speciosa, were cast and added to the cathedral's set of bells.

In the 16th century, work on the cathedral was halted due to the Reformation and the Thirty Years' War. For the next 300 years, the cathedral remained unfinished. It was severely damaged by French occupation forces in the late 18th century and used as a stable and warehouse.

In the 19th century, there was a renewed interest in medieval designs and constructions, and the cathedral became a symbol of German unity in the growing national movement. Restoration work began in earnest in 1842, led by the architect Ernst Friedrich Zwirner. A new cornerstone was laid by King Frederick William IV of Prussia, and the cathedral was finally completed in 1880, more than 600 years after construction began.

The Cologne Cathedral is the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe and has the second-tallest spires and the largest facade of any church in the world. It stands at 157 metres tall, and at the time of its completion, it was the tallest building in the world.

The Shrine of the Three Kings

The shrine is a masterpiece of medieval goldwork, crafted between 1180 and 1225, and is considered the high point of Mosan art. It is the largest reliquary in the Western world. The shrine is in the form of a basilica, with two sarcophagi standing next to each other and the third resting on their roof ridges. The basic structure is made of wood, with gold and silver overlay decorated with filigree, enamel, and over 1,000 jewels and beads. The elaborate metalwork was crafted by the renowned medieval goldsmith Nicholas of Verdun, with parts decorated by Archbishop Philip von Hensberg with additional jewels and gold.

The shrine's surfaces are adorned with intricate decorations, depicting the stories of the Three Magi, the Virgin Mary, and the life of Christ. These narratives are shown through figures meticulously crafted from gold-plated silver. The front of the shrine is made of pure gold and adorned with precious cameos. The sides feature images of prophets, apostles, and evangelists. The shrine also includes a removable trapezoid that allows viewers to see the relics through a latticed opening.

The relics' journey began in Constantinople (brought there by Empress Helena, Constantine the Great's mother) and were then moved to Milan in 314. In 1164, Holy Roman Emperor Frederick Barbarossa took the relics from Milan and gifted them to the Archbishop of Cologne, Rainald of Dassel. The relics were wrapped in white silk and placed in the shrine. The construction of the present Cologne Cathedral began in 1248 to properly house these important relics, and it took 632 years to complete.

The shrine has undergone periods of damage, restoration, and robbery. In the 16th century, several gems, pearls, and a large cameo were stolen and have never been recovered. The shrine was last restored between 1961 and 1973 after being removed during World War II.

The cathedral's art and architecture

The Cathedrals Art and Architecture

Cologne Cathedral is a Gothic Roman Catholic masterpiece that was constructed over seven centuries, finally completing its 632-year-long construction 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 20,000 people a day or 6 million people a year.

The cathedral's medieval builders had planned a grand structure to house the reliquary of the Three Kings and serve as a place of worship for the Holy Roman Emperor. The cathedral is a five-aisled basilica that is 144.5 metres long with a projecting transept 86.25 metres wide and a tower façade 157.22 metres high. The nave is 43.58 metres high and the side aisles are 19.80 metres. The western section, nave and transept were begun in 1330 and feature a change in style that is not perceptible in the overall building. The 19th-century work follows the medieval forms and techniques faithfully, as can be seen by comparing it with the original medieval plan on parchment. The towers for its two huge spires give the cathedral the largest façade of any church in the world.

The cathedral features a modern bronze altar in the transept that was created by Elmar Hillebrand between 1960 and 1971. Behind the altar are the choir stalls, which were carved from 1308 to 1311. The 104 seats make it one of the biggest surviving medieval choir stalls in Germany. The seats include one that was reserved for the Pope and another for the Emperor. The high altar, which was installed in 1322, is constructed of black marble with a solid slab 15 feet long forming the top. The front and sides are overlaid with white marble niches into which are set figures, with the Coronation of the Virgin at the centre.

The cathedral also features a Shrine of the Three Kings, which is a masterpiece of medieval goldwork. The shrine was begun by the noted goldsmith Nicholas of Verdun in 1182 and completed around 1220. It is said to contain the bones of the Three Wise Men from the Bible. The shrine is located near the high altar and is massive, 1.10 metres wide, 1.53 metres high and 2.20 metres long, weighing 300 kilograms. The most celebrated work of art in the cathedral, it takes the form of a large reliquary in the shape of a basilican church, made of bronze and silver, gilded and ornamented with architectonic details, figurative sculpture, enamels and gemstones.

The cathedral's oldest stained-glass windows were crafted in the 13th century. More modern is the immense stained-glass window by the Cologne-based artist Gerhard Richter, which was completed in 2007 as a permanent replacement for 19th-century glass that was destroyed in World War II. The window consists of more than 11,000 square panes in 72 solid colours, arrayed seemingly at random.

Other notable artworks in the cathedral include the Gero Crucifix, a large oak crucifix with traces of paint and gilding, believed to be the oldest large

The cathedral's history as a tourist attraction

Cologne Cathedral has been attracting pilgrims and tourists for hundreds of years. The shrine of the Three Kings (or Three Wise Men/Magi) has been a major draw since the Middle Ages, and it was to house this shrine that the cathedral was built. The shrine is said to contain the bones of the three Wise Men from the Bible, and pilgrims have been visiting the site for over 1,000 years.

The cathedral is Germany's most visited landmark, attracting an average of 20,000 people a day. It is also Germany's most popular tourist destination, with over six million visitors a year. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and has been since 1996.

The cathedral is the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe, and has the second-tallest spires and largest facade of any church in the world. It is also the world's third-largest Gothic-style cathedral, with 10,000 square metres of windows. The cathedral's Gothic architecture, intricate details, tall spires, and stunning stained glass windows are a testament to the skill and artistry of the medieval craftsmen who built it.

The cathedral has been described as an "exceedingly harmonious glass house", with windows covering an area of about 10,000 square metres—the largest window area of any church in the world. The colourful glass windows bring a vibrant intensity of colour to the interior, filling the space with light.

The cathedral's long construction history is also of interest to tourists. Construction began in 1248 and was only completed in 1880, 632 years later. During this time, the design was based on the Amiens Cathedral, and was realised with an extra aisle on each side, forming a cross, which was typical of Gothic architecture. The cathedral's architecture has been described as "a testament to faith".

The cathedral has survived two world wars, and despite severe damage, numerous valuable works inside survived. During World War II, the cathedral was hit by 14 bombs, but the building did not fall. It is believed that the cathedral was not completely destroyed because it served as an easily recognisable landmark for pilots.

The cathedral's ownership by the Catholic Church

The Cologne Cathedral, officially the Hohe Domkirche Sankt Petrus, is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Cologne, Germany. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Cologne and the administration of the Archdiocese of Cologne. The site of the cathedral has been occupied by Christian churches since the 4th century.

The current cathedral was constructed over more than 600 years, beginning in 1248. The first stone was laid on the Feast of the Assumption of Mary on 15 August 1248 by Archbishop Konrad von Hochstaden. The cathedral was designed in the Gothic style, emulating French church architecture. The choir was consecrated in 1322, and construction continued until 1560 or 1520.

The project then stalled for centuries, with a large wooden crane left standing at the top of the south tower. During the French Revolution in the 1790s, French troops occupied Cologne and used the cathedral as a stable and hay barn. Restoration work began in the 1820s, and a new cornerstone was laid by King Frederick William IV of Prussia in 1842. Work to complete the cathedral resumed, guided by 1300-year-old architectural drawings. The cathedral was finally completed in 1880, becoming the tallest building in the world at the time.

The cathedral is renowned for its art treasures, including the Shrine of the Three Kings near the high altar. This shrine is said to contain relics of the biblical Magi and is a masterpiece of medieval goldwork, created by the goldsmith Nicholas of Verdun between 1182 and 1220. The cathedral also features medieval stained-glass windows from the 13th century and a modern stained-glass window by artist Gerhard Richter, installed in 2007.

The Cologne Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracting an average of 20,000 visitors per day. It is the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe, with the second-tallest spires and the largest facade of any church in the world. The cathedral stands at a height of 157 metres, with the northern tower slightly taller than the southern one.

The cathedral has undergone repairs and renovations over the years, including after heavy bombing during World War II. Maintenance work is ongoing, with craftsmen and women employed to restore and preserve the cathedral for future generations.

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