Cologne Cathedral: A Historical And Cultural Icon

Cologne Cathedral is a renowned monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture. Construction began in 1248 and took over 600 years to complete, with the cathedral finally opening in 1880. The building is famous for its Gothic architecture, its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its history as a major tourist attraction. The cathedral is the tallest twin-spired church in the world and the third tallest church of any kind in the world. It is also the seat of the Archbishop of Cologne and of the administration of the Archdiocese of Cologne.

The Shrine of the Three Kings

The shrine was built between 1180 and 1225 by the famous medieval goldsmith Nicholas of Verdun. It is adorned with intricate decorations and gold-plated silver figures that narrate the stories of the Three Magi, the Virgin Mary, and the life of Christ. The shrine is shaped like a basilica, with two sarcophagi standing next to each other and a third sarcophagus 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 relics of the Three Kings were first brought to Constantinople by Empress Helena, Constantine the Great's mother. They were then moved to Milan in an oxcart by Eustorgius I, the city's bishop, 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. Rainald transferred the relics to Cologne, where the shrine was built to house them. The relics have attracted a constant stream of pilgrims to the city ever since.

The shrine has undergone several periods of damage and restoration throughout its history. On January 28, 1574, several gems and a large cameo were stolen from the shrine and have never been recovered. The shrine was last restored between 1961 and 1973 after being removed from the cathedral during World War II.

On July 20, 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. The shrine stands as a magnificent example of medieval craftsmanship and a significant attraction for tourists and pilgrims visiting Cologne Cathedral.

Gothic architecture

Cologne Cathedral is a renowned monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture. The building of this Gothic masterpiece commenced in 1248, and it took over 600 years to complete. The cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Cologne and it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.

The cathedral is the largest Gothic church in northern Europe and features immense twin towers that stand 515 feet (157 metres) tall. The towers give the cathedral the largest façade of any church in the world. The foundation stone was laid in 1248 by Archbishop Konrad von Hochstaden, and the eastern arm was completed under the direction of Master Gerhard, the first master builder of Cologne Cathedral. Master Gerhard probably worked only a few years on the planning and the ground plan. The cathedral was designed according to the northern French model and the most modern architectural style of the time: the Gothic style.

The choir was consecrated in 1322, but construction continued until around 1560. The project then stalled for centuries, with a large wooden crane left standing some 184 feet (56 metres) above the ground, at the top of the south tower. During the 1790s, troops of the French Revolution occupied Cologne and used the cathedral as a stable and a hay barn. 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 architects Ernst Friedrich Zwirner and Richard Voigtel carried out the enterprise, guided by architectural drawings made in about 1300. Construction finally ended in 1880.

The interior of Cologne Cathedral is awe-inspiring. At the end of the gigantic nave is the reason the cathedral was built: the shrine of the Three Magi, or the Three Wise Men, whose relics were brought to the city in 1164. The shrine, a masterpiece of medieval goldwork, was crafted between 1180 and 1225. It is the largest reliquary shrine in Europe and is traditionally believed to hold the bones of the Three Wise Men from the Bible.

The cathedral's height

The height of the Cologne Cathedral is one of the main reasons for its fame. Upon its completion in 1880, it was the tallest building in the world, standing at 157 metres (515 ft) or 157.38 metres (516.3 ft) tall, including its twin spires. It held this title until 1884 when the Washington Monument was completed. It is still the tallest twin-spired church in the world.

The construction of the cathedral took 632 years, from 1248 to 1880, with many interruptions due to war and financial difficulties. The foundation stone was laid in 1248 by Archbishop Konrad von Hochstaden, and the eastern arm was completed under the direction of Master Gerhard, the first master builder, in 1322. However, work stalled in the 16th century due to the Reformation and the Thirty Years' War, and it was not until the 19th century that work resumed in earnest.

The cathedral's immense height is due to its Gothic style, modelled after French church architecture. It features two huge spires that give it the largest façade of any church in the world. The towers are almost identical in height, with the North Tower measuring 157.38 metres (516.33 feet) and the South Tower only 7 centimetres (2.75 inches) taller. The nave is 43.58 metres high, and the side aisles reach 19.80 metres.

The height of the cathedral, combined with its intricate details and artistic masterpieces, makes it a renowned monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996 and is Germany's most visited landmark, attracting millions of visitors each year.

The cathedral's long construction

The construction of Cologne Cathedral is a story that spans over 600 years, with work beginning in 1248 and ending in 1880. The long construction period can be attributed to various factors, including war, financial difficulties, and changes in ruling powers. Despite these challenges, the builders remained committed to the original plans, resulting in a unified masterpiece.

The first phase of construction began in 1248 when Archbishop Konrad von Hochstaden laid the foundation stone. Master Gerhard, the first master builder, likely worked on the planning and ground plan, drawing inspiration from the northern French model and adopting the Gothic style, which was the most modern architectural style at the time. Construction continued in the following decades, with the choir being completed in the 14th century and the foundation for the south tower laid in 1360. However, there were repeated interruptions due to war and financial difficulties.

In the 15th century, construction progressed with the casting of two bells, Pretiosa and Speciosa, which are still part of the cathedral's bell set. Work continued on the transept, the side aisles, and the north tower. However, in the 16th century, construction was halted due to the Reformation and the Thirty Years' War. This pause in construction lasted for over 300 years.

It wasn't until the 19th century that work resumed, following the annexation of the Rhineland by Prussia and the city of Cologne becoming part of the Prussian state. Under the direction of architect Ernst Friedrich Zwirner, extensive restoration and reconstruction work began in 1842. The interior of the cathedral was consecrated in 1848, and the completion of Germany's largest cathedral was celebrated as a national event in 1880.

The long construction history of Cologne Cathedral is a testament to the enduring strength of European Christianity. Despite the challenges and setbacks, the builders remained faithful to the original plans, resulting in a unified Gothic masterpiece that has become a symbol of German nationhood and a renowned monument of German Catholicism.

The cathedral's status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Cologne Cathedral's status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site is well-deserved, and it is a testament to the enduring strength of European Christianity. The cathedral is a renowned monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture, and its construction took place over several centuries, finally completing its original medieval plan in 1880.

The cathedral is a High Gothic five-aisled basilica with a projecting transept and a two-tower façade. The towers give the cathedral the largest façade of any church globally. The western section, nave and transept, begun in 1330, exhibit subtle style changes, but these are challenging to perceive in the overall building. The later work in the 19th century faithfully followed the medieval forms and techniques, and many original liturgical ornamentations remain intact. These include the semi-circular nave with its stained glass windows, the largest cycle of early 14th-century windows in Europe; the high altar, constructed from black marble; the 14 statues on pillars in the choir from the 13th century; and the early 14th-century carved oak choir stalls.

The cathedral also contains an outstanding series of tombs of twelve archbishops dating from 976 to 1612. One of the most celebrated works of art within is the Shrine of the Three Kings, created between 1180 and 1225, which is the largest reliquary shrine in Europe. Other artistic masterpieces include the altarpiece of St Clare in the north aisle, the altarpiece of the City Patrons by Stephan Lochner in the Chapel of Our Lady, and the altarpiece of St Agilolphus in the south transept.

Cologne Cathedral was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996 and is Germany's most visited landmark, attracting around six million people annually. The site has been occupied by Christian churches since the 4th century. The current cathedral was built to house the Shrine of the Three Kings, whose relics were brought to Cologne in 1164, making it one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Europe.

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